Frozen Shrimp Products Recalled Due to Possible Radioactive Contamination

SEATTLE, Wash. - AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle, Wash., is recalling three frozen shrimp products due to possible Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination.

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions. Because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food and air.

Recalled produce includes:

• approximately 49,920 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp.
• approximately 18,000 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp.
• approximately 17,264 bags (net wt. 1.25lbs) of AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers.

These products may have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions and may have been contaminated with Cs-137, according to the FDA.

Long-term, repeated low-dose exposure to Cs-137 (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is correlated with an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body, said FDA.

Affected shrimp was sold at Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foodsco, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Supermarkets, Pick ‘n Save, Ralphs, Smith’s and QFC in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming between June 12 and Sept. 17.

The recalled Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp net wt. 2lbs., is packaged in transparent printed bag with a blue band on the top with yellow and red details.

The recalled Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, net wt. 2lbs., is packaged in clear plastic bag and has a white label with green stripes on top of each bag.

The recalled AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers; net wt. 1.25 lbs., is packaged in a printed bag with a black top and blue bottom and printed pictures of the skewers inside.

Other Cs-137 Investigation Ongoing

The FDA continues to investigate reports of Cs-137 contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) alerted FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports (Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami). FDA collected multiple samples for radionuclide analysis, with results confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.

The agency said it is working with distributors and retailers that received product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by Customs & Border Protection (CBP), but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137, to recommend that firms conduct a recall.

Consumers should not eat or serve certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia:

• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027.

Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration