Bapeten Reveals PT BMS Shrimp Factory Contaminated By Cesium, Further Investigation Is Carried Out

Bapeten sealed PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) about frozen shrimp products contaminated with Cesium-137 (doc. Bapeten).

JAKARTA - The Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency (Bapeten) revealed the results of a joint investigation and monitoring of PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) regarding frozen shrimp products contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137).

Joint monitoring was carried out by Bapeten together with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Ministry of Environment (KLH).

Quoted from the official Bapeten press release, Saturday, August 23, 2025, based on the results of the investigation that had been carried out, there were five notes regarding the findings of shrimp exposed to Cs-137.

First, the results of measurements of the rate of exposure in the frozen shrimp factory area (PT BMS) showed the presence of Cs-137 contamination in the factory area.

Currently, Bapeten is conducting an investigation into the source of the Cs-137 contamination.

Second, in an effort to investigate, Bapeten carried out radiation monitoring in a wider area and found significant radiation exposure at the area's used iron collection site.

"Investigations found metal material indicated to contain radioactive substances Cs-137," Bapeten wrote.

Bapeten and the National Police have carried out temporary security against the used iron collection site by installing a police line.

Third, Bapeten expanded the coverage of radiation monitoring in the area more widely within a two-kilometer radius and found two other locations that showed a high rate of radiation doses.

Therefore, Bapeten and Polri set up a police line as temporary security measures, before further handling and investigation.

Fourth, Bapeten and the National Police carry out further investigations to find the origin of the source of the contamination and distribution of Cs-137 material.

Information related to the development of the situation will be conveyed further.

"Bapeten is committed to ensuring and ensuring the safety of the community and the environment. People are advised to remain calm," said Bapeten.

Previously, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to consume the Great Value frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart.

The warning came after US customs authorities detected contamination of the Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive isotopic in containers of shrimp shipments originating from Indonesia.

The FDA said contamination was detected by Customs and US Border Protection (CBP) in four main ports, namely Los Angeles, Houston, airway, and Miami. Containers who tested positive for Cs-137 were immediately denied entry to the United States.

Although the FDA confirmed that there has been no confirmation of direct contamination of commercial shrimp products in the US market, the agency said it is likely that the product has been prepared, packaged or stored in an unhygienic condition that opens up opportunities for exposure to radioactive isotopes.

"If you have just bought a raw frozen shrimp from Walmart according to this description, throw it away. Don't eat or serve this product," the FDA wrote in a statement, quoted from the official fda.gov website, Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Currently, the case is still being handled by KKP, Bapeten, and a number of other stakeholders.