November 10, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant regulatory step to safeguard public health and food safety. Starting October 31, 2025, the FDA will require import certification for shrimp and spices from specific regions of Indonesia due to potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive substance.

This marks the first-ever use of FDA’s import certification authority under Section 801(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, introduced through the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The certification requirement represents a proactive, science-based approach to controlling contamination risks while ensuring trade continuity for compliant products.

Why Import Certification Is Being Used

Recent investigations revealed that:

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected high levels of Cesium-137 in several shipments of shrimp.
  • FDA laboratories confirmed contamination in both shrimp and cloves from certain Indonesian regions.
  • Evidence indicated repeated contamination issues requiring stronger oversight.

To address these risks, FDA issued Import Alert #99-52: “Detention Without Physical Examination of Certain Human Food Products from Certain Regions in Indonesia Subject to the Requirement of Import Certification per Section 801(q)”.

Key Certification Requirements

The import certification applies to:

  • Shrimp from the Island of Java and Lampung Province (Sumatra, Indonesia)
  • Spices from the Island of Java and Lampung Province (Sumatra, Indonesia)

The alert establishes a tiered certification approach:

  • Products must carry official certification to demonstrate compliance.
  • Only certified products can be shipped to the U.S.
  • Shipments without certification will be detained without physical examination.

This ensures that only safe, compliant foods enter U.S. commerce, while contaminated goods are intercepted before reaching consumers.

How Import Certification Works

Import certification is an additional regulatory safeguard designed to:

  • Prevent repeated food safety problems at the source.
  • Complement existing tools such as Import Alerts and border inspections.
  • Provide oversight at the port of export, reducing risks before shipment.
  • Support foreign manufacturers who comply with U.S. food safety standards.

By implementing this measure, the FDA strengthens its ability to protect public health while maintaining the flow of compliant international trade.

Implications for Industry & Stakeholders

For seafood exporters, spice suppliers, and importers, this development has major implications:

  • Enhanced documentation and testing requirements will increase compliance costs.
  • Risk-based certification will require close collaboration with local regulatory bodies and certification agencies.
  • U.S. importers must verify that shipments carry valid FDA-recognized certifications before distribution.

Non-compliance could result in costly delays, detentions, or shipment rejections.

Conclusion

The FDA’s move to enforce import certification for shrimp and spices is a landmark regulatory action that sets a precedent for addressing radioactive contamination risks in food supply chains.

At Maven Regulatory Solutions, we help food businesses and importers navigate these complex requirements, ensuring full compliance with FDA, FSMA, and Import Alert processes. From certification guidance to documentation and regulatory submissions, our team provides end-to-end support to safeguard compliance while keeping trade moving.