KKP Reveals Chronology Of Handling Indonesian Shrimp Products Exposed To Cs-137 In The US

Head of BPPMHKP KKP Ishartini (second from the right). Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) revealed the chronology of handling Indonesian shrimp products owned by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Food) which was exposed to Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive substances when entering the United States (US).

Initially, the Indonesian Government received a notification regarding the radioactive exposure on July 19, 2025. This was stated by the Head of the Marine and Fishery Product Quality Control and Supervision Agency (BPPMHKP) of the KKP Ishartini in a press conference at the KKP office, Jakarta, Thursday, November 6.

"I'll tell you a little chronology of the handling of cesium cases in shrimp in Indonesia. Starting from July 19, (2025) we received a notification," said Ishartini.

Then, he said, the KKP held a coordination meeting (Rakor) with the FDA, the American Ambassador to Indonesia to a number of experts from universities.

"Then, we immediately coordinated with Bapeten (Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency) as a ministry that handles nuclear in Indonesia and we set up a root cause analysis (method to identify the root of the problem)," he said.

Then, on August 14, 2025, there was the first import alert issued by the FDA. After that, said Ishartini, his party immediately carried out joint inspections and meetings to discuss this matter.

After almost three weeks, on October 3, 2025, imports of the second alert came out and at that time there were red lists and yellow lists. This means that RI shrimp has been included in the list of products that violate FDA regulations and pose a threat to consumers.

"Of course after that we are very intensive with the FDA. We have communication, the relationship is very good for us to agree on how the SOP regarding the yellow list is so that it can continue to be exported to the United States," explained Ishartini.

After a few days, he continued, the FDA determined the existence of Certifying Entity (CE) for shrimp products entering the US. Certifying Entity is an absolute requirement that must be met by every special Fish Processing Unit (UPI) from Java and Lampung, which indicates that the product is Cs-137 free of contamination.

"After we marathon and thank God it was not until one month after we implemented Certifying Entity through letter of intent (LoI) on 31 (October) yesterday we together with Customs and Excise, Bapeten, on the results of Bapeten's cooperation tested with BRIN, were able to release our first shrimp exports back to the United States," explained Ishartini.

"So, this is of course a collaboration with various parties. Everything is carried out in accordance with what is required for our shrimp to enter the United States," he concluded.