Analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monthly refusal data shows that 78.6% of shrimp shipments refused for banned antibiotics in early 2026 originated from processors certified under the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program, with shrimp from Indonesia emerging as the largest source of violations.
Executive Summary
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported 138 seafood entry line* refusals in February 2026. Analysis of the agency’s refusal data highlights several notable trends involving antibiotic-contaminated farmed shrimp imports.
Key Findings
- In February 2026, 2.2% of all FDA seafood import entry line refusals involved shrimp contaminated with banned antibiotics.
- The FDA refused three shrimp entry lines in February 2026 for reasons related to the presence of banned veterinary drug residues.
- A total of 14 shrimp entry lines have been refused for antibiotic residues year-to-date in 2026.
- In 2026, 78.6% of FDA shrimp entry line refusals related to banned antibiotics originated from BAP-certified facilities
- Indonesian shrimp entry lines account for 57.1% of all antibiotic-related shrimp refusals in 2026.
- FDA testing continues to detect Nitrofurans, a class of antibiotics banned in aquaculture exports to the United States.
FEBRUARY 2026 SHRIMP ANTIBIOTIC REFUSALS
Total FDA Seafood Refusals (February): 138 entry lines
Shrimp Antibiotic Refusals (February): 3 entry lines
Total FDA Seafood Refusals (YTD): 258 entry lines
Shrimp Antibiotic Refusals (YTD): 14 entry lines
Refusals from BAP-Certified Facilities (YTD): 78.6% (11 entry lines
Trend Analysis
FDA refusal data indicate that Indonesia is emerging as the largest source of shrimp shipments rejected for banned antibiotics in 2026.
- 8 of 14 entry lines of antibiotic-related shrimp refusals in 2026 involve Indonesian shipments.
- Historically, antibiotic violations have been concentrated in India and Vietnam.
- In January–February 2026 alone, Indonesia has already matched its total number of antibiotic refusals recorded between 2016 and 2024 combined.
February 2026 Refusals: Detailed Exporter Data
The FDA refused three entry lines of shrimp in February 2026 for reasons related to veterinary drug residues (antibiotics/fungicides).
1. PT. Sekar Bumi, Tbk.
- Origin: Indonesia
- Refusal Date(s): February 11, 2026
- FDA Division: Northeast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Certification Status: BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plants: P10337, P11130
- Farms: F11891, F11735, F11016
- Import Alert Status: Not currently listed on Import Alert 16-124 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Aquaculture Seafood Products Due to Unapproved Drugs”), Import Alert 16-127 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of All Seafood Due to Chloramphenicol”), or Import Alert 16-129 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans”).
2. Classic Mode Sdn Bhd
- Origin: Malaysia
- Refusal Date(s): February 11, 2026
- FDA Division: West Coast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Import Alert Status: Not on the “green” list for IA 16-136 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Aquacultured Shrimp and Prawn Products in all Market Forms from Peninsular Malaysia Due to the Presence of Unapproved Animal Drugs or Unsafe Food Additives”)
3. Manwill Trading Development Co. Limited
- Origin: Hong Kong
- Refusal Date(s): February 4, 2026
- FDA Division: West Coast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues and Unsafe Additives
- Import Alert Status: Not on the “green” list for IA 16-131 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Aquacultured Shrimp, Dace, and Eel from China and Hong Kong SAR – Presence of New Animal Drugs and/or Unsafe Food Additives”)
Additional Violations: Economic Adulteration
In addition to antibiotic refusals, the FDA flagged the following shrimp entry line for violations related to economic adulteration:
- Entity: Soc Trang Seafood Joint Stock Company (STAPIMEX)
- Origin: Vietnam
- Refusal Date(s): February 26, 2026
- FDA Division: Southwest Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for “ADDED BULK” (Sampling indicated the product was adulterated to increase weight).
- Trend Note: This marks the second consecutive month a Vietnamese shrimp shipment has been refused for “ADDED BULK.”
BAP-Certified Facility Tracker (2026 YTD)
The Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program, operated by the Global Seafood Alliance, is widely used by retailers and seafood brands to indicate that seafood is safe and responsibly farmed.
78.6% of shrimp entry lines refused for antibiotics in 2026 originated from BAP-certified facilities. This finding raises questions about whether third-party certification audits adequately detect banned veterinary drug use at farms and processing plants.
The shrimp entry lines refused by the FDA for banned antibiotics in 2026 originated from four BAP-certified facilities, led by Indonesia’s PT. Tamron Akuatik Produk Industri.
BAP-Certified Facility Leaderboard (2026 YTD)
Historical Context & Data Trends
FDA Refusals of Shrimp Entry Lines for Veterinary Drug Residues
2026 YTD Total: 14
2025 Full Year: 93 (the 6th highest total in 24 years)
Indonesia Trend
Between 2016 and 2024, Indonesian shrimp shipments were refused only eight times for antibiotics.
In January–February 2026 alone, Indonesian exporters have already reached eight entry line refusals, suggesting a rapid increase in violations.
In 2025, Indonesia had a record-high of 30 shrimp entry lines refused for banned antibiotic contamination.
Traditionally, major markets for farmed shrimp find that banned antibiotic abuse is dominated by India and Vietnam. Failure to address antibiotic abuse creates financial pressures incentivizing the spread of the practice.
Regulatory & Public Health Notes
Banned Antibiotics Identified
The primary drug detected in recent refusals is Nitrofurans, a class of antibiotics banned in aquaculture exports to the United States.
Several processors associated with refusals (notably PT. Tamron Akuatik Produk Industri) are already subject to FDA Import Alert 16-129 “Detention Without Physical Examination” for Nitrofurans contamination.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The FDA has not authorized the use of antibiotics in shrimp farming. Scientists tie the use of banned antibiotics and fungicides in foreign shrimp aquaculture to the creation and spread of AMR.
Antibiotics in shrimp farming are often used for:
- Disease treatment
- Disease prevention
- Growth promotion
These practices can contribute to global antibiotic resistance, which the World Health Organization identifies as a major public health threat.
*What is an entry line? An entry line refers to each unique product form included in a container. A single shipment generally will include multiple entry lines. For example, if a container contains retail bags of 16/20 count headless, shell-on shrimp and 21/25 count headless, shell-on shrimp, then there will be two entry lines associated with that single shipment. Entry lines do not provide volume data.
Report Source: FDA’s Operational and Administrative System for Import Support (OASIS) data analyzed by the Southern Shrimp Alliance.