“We recently shipped seven containers with a total volume of 106 tons worth about $1.2 million, or roughly 20.14 billion rupiah. All shipments have completed inspection procedures and were confirmed free of Cs-137 contamination,” said Ishartini, head of the Marine and Fisheries Quality Control and Monitoring Agency.
She said the shipments were made in stages, with two containers sent on Oct. 31, two on Nov. 1, two on Nov. 3, and the final container on Nov. 4.
The US Food and Drug Administration has recognized the Indonesian agency as an official certifying body for shrimp products verified to be free of Cesium-137, she added.
Related news: Indonesia mandates radioactive-free certificates for US-bound shrimp
The certification makes Indonesia the first country in the world authorized to conduct radiation screening for fisheries exports, setting a global benchmark in food safety standards.
The Cs-137 contamination-free certification scheme has been fully implemented since Oct. 31, 2025, according to Ishartini.
“Indonesian shrimp has a distinctive flavor, and we will continue to strengthen our quality control,” she said, adding that the resumed exports reflect continued US trust in Indonesia’s ability to meet safety standards.
She said the government expects to ship at least 200 containers of shrimp with Cesium-free certification by the end of November.
Marine and Fisheries Minister Special Staff for Public Relations and Communication Doni Ismanto Darwin said the government took swift action to address the contamination incident.
Following the discovery, officials coordinated with multiple agencies to conduct on-site audits, enhance standard procedures, and upgrade testing laboratories, he said.
“As a result, Indonesia regained the trust of U.S. authorities, allowing exports to resume under an FDA-recognized certification mechanism,” Darwin said.
“This is not just an export recovery but proof that Indonesia has a responsive and transparent quality infrastructure trusted globally,” he added.
Related news: Indonesia drafts Cs-137-free certification to boost shrimp exports
Translator: M Harianto, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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