Jakarta. The Indonesian government has confirmed that shrimp shipments recently rejected by the United States over concerns of radioactive contamination contained no traces of Cesium-137.

Between June and August 2025, Indonesia exported 387 containers of frozen vannamei shrimp totaling 5,595 tons to the US. But on August 14, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) issued Import Alert 99-51, leading to the repatriation of 18 containers on suspicion of Cesium-137 contamination.

Bara Krishna Hasibuan, head of the government task force investigating the incident, said seafood exporter Bahari Makmur Sejati had recalled the rejected containers. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the containers were inspected by the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

"After quality and Cesium-137 radioactive level testing, BRIN found that the shrimp products contained no traces of radioactive material," Bara told a press conference in Jakarta.

Drama Panca Putra, Deputy for Fish Quarantine, said all 18 containers had arrived at Tanjung Priok Port by September 12 and underwent strict quarantine protocols. These included physical inspection, sampling, laboratory testing, radioactive portal monitoring, and secondary checks at NPCT 1 terminal.

"The results showed no radiation contamination in the 18 containers inspected, with measurements of around 9,500 cps-- still within normal thresholds," Drama said.

He stressed that the comprehensive testing demonstrated Indonesia’s commitment to public health, maintaining the quality of its fisheries exports, and restoring confidence in international markets.

Meanwhile, authorities also sealed a processing facility in the Cikande Industrial Zone, Banten, suspected of being the source of Cesium-137 contamination in exported shrimp. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said the decision followed investigative findings of radiation exposure in the facility’s area.

“The site has been contained and will undergo decontamination. The government is serious about protecting the public while safeguarding the reputation of national food exports,” Zulkifli said.

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