Analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monthly refusal data shows that 85.7% of shrimp shipments refused for banned antibiotics in the first quarter of 2026 originated from processors certified under the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program. For the first time in 2026, the FDA reported refusing shipments of Indian-origin shrimp for the presence of veterinary drug residues in March.
Executive Summary
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported 90 seafood entry line* refusals in March 2026. Analysis of the agency’s refusal data highlights several notable trends involving antibiotic-contaminated farmed shrimp imports.
Trend Analysis
In March, FDA refusal data once again confirmed that India continues to export shrimp contaminated with banned antibiotics to the United States.
- 5 of 7 entry lines of antibiotic-related shrimp refusals in March 2026 involve Indian shipments.
- The refused entry lines involved shrimp found to be contaminated with amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and/or nitrofurans.
- These entry lines originated from three different Indian shrimp companies.
March 2026 Refusals: Detailed Exporter Data
The FDA refused seven entry lines of shrimp in March 2026 for reasons related to veterinary drug residues (antibiotics/fungicides).
1. Nezami Rekha Seafoods Private Limited
- Origin: India
- Refusal Date(s): March 19, 2026
- FDA Division: Northeast Imports
- Violation(s): 3 entry lines refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Certification Status: 🔴 BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plant: P10905
- Import Alert Status: Listed on Import Alert 16-124 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Aquaculture Seafood Products Due to Unapproved Drugs”) on March 9, 2026 for Amoxicillin in its shipments of shrimp.
- 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. Monsun Foods Private Ltd
- Origin: India
- Refusal Date(s): March 10, 2026
- FDA Division: Southeast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Certification Status: 🔴 BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plant: P10797
- Farms: F12409E; F12409F; F12409G
- Import Alert Status: Listed on Import Alert 16-129 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans”) on April 9, 2026.
3. Nekkanti Mega Food Park Private Limited – Unit #1
- Origin: India
- Refusal Date(s): March 9, 2026
- FDA Division: Southeast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues, Nitrofurans, and Chloramphenicol
- Certification Status: 🔴 BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plant: P10805
- Import Alert Status: Listed on Import Alert 16-129 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans”) on December 27, 2024.
4. Seavina Joint Stock Company
- Origin: Vietnam
- Refusal Date(s): March 24, 2026
- FDA Division: West Coast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Certification Status: 🔴 BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plant: P10387
- Farm: F12012
- Import Alert Status: Listed on Import Alert 16-129 (“Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans”) on February 13, 2026.
5. Asian Sea Corporation Public Company Limited
- Origin: Thailand
- Refusal Date(s): March 24, 2026
- FDA Division: Northeast Imports
- Violation(s): 1 entry line refused for Veterinary Drug Residues
- Certification Status: 🔴 BAP-Certified (4-Star)
- Processing Plant: P10028
- 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”).
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.
85.7% of shrimp entry lines refused for antibiotics in the first quarter of 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 eight BAP-certified facilities operating in four different countries (India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam), 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: 21
2025 Full Year: 93 (the 6th highest total in 24 years)
India Trend
Traditionally, major markets for farmed shrimp find that banned antibiotic abuse is dominated by India and Vietnam.
Prior to March 2026, the FDA had yet to report refusing an entry line of Indian shrimp for veterinary drug residues.
However, in March, the FDA’s refusals were once again dominated by Indian shrimp exporters, with three different companies identified as responsible for shipping contaminated shrimp.
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.