August 22, 2025 | 10:27 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) has temporarily halted all production and shipments to the United States after local authorities detected the radioactive substance Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in shipping containers and shrimp products.
“PT BMS’ exports to the United States have been temporarily suspended,” said Andi Tamsil, General Chairman of the Shrimp Club Indonesia, in a written statement on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
According to Andi, the case is now under investigation by the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
The probe is aimed at identifying the source of contamination, determining handling measures, and ensuring food safety. The findings, he added, will be reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Andi stressed that PT BMS is coordinating closely with the government and shrimp industry associations.
“We emphasize that this case did not originate from shrimp aquaculture, but rather stems from external factors beyond the industry’s control,” he said.
In its press release, the FDA said the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had detected Cs-137 in containers of Indonesian origin at four ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. Several samples were collected for radionuclide analysis, which confirmed traces of Cs-137 in shrimp powder.
“All containers and products that tested positive or showed indications of Cs-137 have been denied entry into the United States,” the FDA said.
The FDA concluded that the detected level of Cs-137 in shrimp powder could pose health risks if consumed over an extended period. Withdrawal measures were therefore taken to minimize low-level radiation exposure that could have long-term health effects.
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