Indonesian Frozen Shrimp Found Polluted By Cesium, Trade Minister Ensures Export Of Fishery Products To The US Continues

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Budi Santoso ensured that exports of fishery products, including shrimp to the United States (US) from companies outside PT Bahari Makmur Sejati Indonesia (BMS Food), would continue to run normally.

"Others, there is no problem. This is just one case," said Budi at the Office of the Ministry of Trade, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 20.

Budi explained that the temporary suspension only applies to products from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati Indonesia (BMS Food) which are currently in the verification process.

"Yes, while (stopped). We do an inspection first to make sure whether or not the allegations from America are true. Whether (the accusation about the findings) of Cesium C-137 is proven or not," he said.

Budi said he had also communicated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapetan) regarding these findings.

Furthermore, Budi said, the KKP and Bapetan are currently conducting further inspections to ensure the findings of the United States Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (FDA).

"For example, it's not (evidible), yes, we will communicate again (with the US)," he said.

For your information, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) appealed to the public not to consume a certain number of frozen shrimp products sold in the Walmart retail network. This warning was issued after allegations of exposure to the Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive material emerged.

In his official statement, Tuesday, August 19, the FDA stated that Cs-137 contamination was detected in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company, PT Bahari Makmur Sejati Indonesia (BMS Food).

The company's raw frozen shrimp products are known to be marketed through Walmart in 13 US states.