Indonesia Refutes US FDA Claim About Mercury In Tuna

The Indonesian Ministry of Fisheries recently clarified a US query dating back to 2023, regarding the presence of mercury in tuna caught near the Obi Islands, one of the largest islands in the country. The Quality Assurance Agency at the Ministry stated that an official confirmation showed no presence of mercury in tuna or other seafood products sourced from waters around the island.

In 2023, the US FDA inquired about mercury levels in tuna caught near the Obi Islands, but did not issue an official report confirming contamination or a ban. A spokesperson from the Indonesian Quality Assurance Agency, which is the competent authority for export certification, stated that tuna are migratory species, and “mercury in the fish could originate from waters far from their capture point. Based on existing tests on both fish samples and surrounding waters in various locations, no heavy metal levels have exceeded Indonesian or international standards,” reported Indonesia Business Post.