- On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that, beginning October 31, 2025, it will require import certification for certain shrimp and spices from Indonesia—marking the agency’s first use of certification authority under Section 801(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as established by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- The certification requirement applies to products originating from the Island of Java and Lampung Province on Sumatra, following confirmed contamination with Cesium-137 (a radioactive isotope) detected in multiple shipments of shrimp and cloves. FDA’s action, prompted by findings from U.S. Customs and FDA labs, aims to ensure that only products meeting U.S. safety standards are allowed entry, while minimizing disruption to compliant trade.
- This move represents an additional application of FDA’s import oversight tools, supplementing existing mechanisms such as Import Alerts and detention without physical examination (DWPE). Import Alert #99-52 outlines the specific certification requirements and establishes a tiered approach based on contamination risk levels.
- The agency has also launched a dedicated webpage to guide stakeholders through the certification process and clarify how this authority integrates with broader food safety and import control frameworks. Industry participants are encouraged to review the alert and certification guidance to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions in supply chains.
- Keller and Heckman will continue to monitor FDA’s implementation of import certification authority and provide updates as new developments arise.
