The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed an assessment of Indonesia’s Cesium-137 (Cs-137) import certification program for certain shrimp and spice products and confirmed that the existing certification program will remain in place.
FDA established the requirements after detecting Cs-137 in certain shrimp and clove products imported from Indonesia in 2025. The agency subsequently issued Import Alert 99-52, requiring certification for certain shrimp and spice products from Indonesia before they can enter the United States.
FDA Finds Certification Program Is Working
In May 2026, FDA conducted an in-country assessment of the Indonesian agencies responsible for issuing certifications. The review included visits to government offices, shrimp and spice processing facilities, and three laboratories supporting the program.
FDA found that both designated certifying entities substantially met the agency’s requirements. While FDA identified limited areas requiring correction or improvement, Indonesian authorities responded with revisions that FDA determined satisfactorily addressed the findings. All three laboratories reviewed also met applicable testing requirements.
As a result, FDA will maintain Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency as the certifying entity for shrimp and Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority as the certifying entity for spice products.
What Importers Need to Know
There are no new requirements resulting from FDA’s assessment. Importers of covered Indonesian shrimp and spice products should continue ensuring that required certifications are in place and that shipments meet the requirements of Import Alert 99-52.
FDA also indicated that it will continue monitoring Indonesia’s implementation of the certification program.
Importers sourcing shrimp or spices from Indonesia should remain aware of the certification requirements and confirm compliance before affected products are shipped to the United States.
Have questions about FDA import requirements or how these requirements may affect your shipments? Contact the Alba team for guidance.
Subscribe to the ASK Alba™ Trade Brief for the latest regulatory and trade updates impacting U.S. importers.
