July 16, 2004

Indonesian Association Advises Importers Not To Buy China Shrimp

The Association of Indonesian Cold Storage Operators (APCI) for West Sumatra has asked importers not to buy shrimp from China, Thailand and Vietnam, as the shrimp raised in the three countries was suspected to contain the chloramphenicol antibiotics.

"Shrimp from China, Thailand and Vietnam had already been banned from entering the United States and Japan since the last three months, on suspicion of contamination with a high dose of chloramphenicol which is dangerous to human health," APCI executive chairman for North Sumatera Mirza Sanusi said on Friday.

In the meantime, the shrimp breeders in China, Thailand and Vietnam were reported to be on the peak of their shrimp harvest from July to August 2004.