BPOM: Cesium-137 Contamination Affects Indonesian Food Exports

October 9, 2025 | 06:17 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, attended a Limited Coordination Meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The meeting discussed the follow-up actions to handle the Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive contamination and its impact on Indonesia's food exports.

BPOM, along with 24 other ministries and agency leaders and representatives, is involved in the special task force for Cs-137 radioactive contamination handling, along with its health impact on vulnerable groups.

During the meeting, Taruna Ikrar addressed the latest developments on the import alert issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). The agency identified Cs-137 as a food safety risk detected in specific products from Indonesia, especially following the discovery of radioactive contamination in shrimp products.

"The US FDA import alert could affect Indonesian spice products, one of which is cloves that are also exported to America," said Taruna Ikrar as quoted in the official statement on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

According to him, this new policy could tighten the requirements for food exports such as shrimp and spices by mandating certification by a US-recognized certifying entity (CE). The third-party agency will ensure food safety oversight before shipment and will be part of a risk-based regulatory and preventive approach.

The US FDA categorizes Indonesian firms into two lists, the Red List and the Yellow List, each specifying the level of shipment certificate requirements for each export entry. The meeting discussed concrete steps for Indonesian food products to exit these two categories.

"Through a joint confidential federation, BPOM will convince the US FDA to gradually remove this import alert with scientific evidence and diplomatic measures," said Taruna.

Chair of the Diplomacy and Public Communication Division of the Cs-137 Task Force, Bara Krishna Hasibuan, said the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries continues engaging with intensive coordination with the US government. In the near future, the task force and the US FDA will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on shrimp product safety certification.

"The US market remains open to Indonesian shrimp products as long as they meet the certification requirements from the US government," said Bara Krishna.

Taruna emphasized that the appointment of the third-party certifying entity must consider the national multi-agency food supervision system and institutional capacity.

"BPOM is committed to working swiftly and in solidarity with all ministries and agencies to ensure the safety of Indonesian products and protect public health," he added.

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