FDA warns of possible radioactive shrimp risk again in new 31-state recall
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Shrimp for sale at a Kroger grocery store in Louisville, Ky., on June 14, 2017, a day before the company reported earnings. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Check your freezer — there are concerns over potentially radioactive shrimp again.
Why it matters: Federal health officials first warned in August that certain shrimp might be contaminated with radioactive isotopes, prompting recalls in 12 states.
- Eating the shrimp won't give you crustacean-based superpowers. But prolonged exposure can cause sickness and death.
Driving the news: The Food and Drug Administration announced a recall Tuesday of multiple frozen shrimp bags possibly contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.
- Both Aquastar and Lawrence Wholesale LLC issued recalls for items sold at Kroger, Ralphs, Smith's and over a dozen other stores, per the FDA.
- The Kroger Company, Aquastar and Lawrence Wholesale did not respond to Axios' request for comment Wednesday evening.
No illnesses have been reported, and no shrimp that tested positive for the radioactive isotope has entered the U.S. commerce supply.
- The FDA is investigating the matter with BMS Foods, which manufactured the products.
- The food "appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern," the FDA said.
The shrimp products were sold in 31 states, including Virginia, California, and Texas, per the FDA. (Full list.)
Which Kroger shrimp products were recalled?
Four specific shrimp and shrimp cocktails were named in the Lawrence recall:
- Shrimp Bowl Cooked Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce (7oz) — Best by: April 22–25, 2027.
- Shrimp Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce (17oz) — Best by: May 16–17, 2027.
- Kroger Cooked Jumbo Tail-On Peeled & Deveined 16/25 Shrimp — Best by: April 28–29, 2027.
- Kroger Cooked Medium Tail-On Peeled & Deveined 51/60 Shrimp — Best by: May 1–2, 2027.
Aquastar recalled additional products with best-by dates ranging from March through 2027. The FDA has the entire list of recall dates.
- Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp (2-pound bags).
- Kroger Mercado Cooked Media Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp (2-pound bags).
- AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers (1.25-pound bags).
Walmart shrimp recall
Flashback: In August, the FDA warned about possible contamination in certain Walmart Great Value shrimp.
- This happened after U.S. Customs and Border Protection told the FDA that Cesium-137 had been detected in containers at four different U.S. ports.
- The FDA found the isotope in a sample of breaded shrimp.
Cesium-137 radiation symptoms
The FDA said repeated exposure to the isotope can lead to "an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body."
- The Environmental Protection Agency also says Cesium-137 can increase cancer risks.
What to do with recalled shrimp
What they're saying: Customers who purchased the recalled items "should not consume the product and should dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund."
Go deeper: Potentially radioactive shrimp recalled in a dozen states
