A shopper strolls by the frozen food section at a Kroger store in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty Images
Federal health authorities ordered a large recall of shrimp sold in 31 states. The reason: possible contamination with cesium-137, a radioactive substance. More than 85,000 bags of shrimp from AquaStar (USA) Corp. are affected. These include Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, and AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says these shrimp may have been packed or stored in unsafe conditions, which could explain how the radioactive element entered the food supply.
What Is Cesium-137?
Cesium-137 is a man-made radioactive material. It can be found in small amounts in the environment. However, when present in higher levels, it can contaminate food and water, especially in polluted areas.
The FDA warns that eating contaminated food over a long time may raise the risk of cancer. This happens because cesium-137 can damage DNA inside the body's living cells.
Where Was the Shrimp Sold?
These shrimp products were sold in major supermarkets across 31 states. Stores include Kroger, Fred Meyer, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, and Foodsco. The shrimp were sold between June 12 and September 17, 2025.
The FDA described the packaging to help shoppers identify the recalled products.
- Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp comes in a clear bag with a blue band and yellow and red details.
- Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp is in a clear plastic bag with a white label and green stripes.
- AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers come in a printed bag with a black top and blue bottom, showing pictures of the skewers.
No illnesses related to the shrimp have been reported so far.
Ongoing Investigation Links to Indonesia
The FDA is also looking into frozen shrimp shipments from Indonesia. The company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, also known as BMS Foods, is at the center of this probe. Officials found the company’s shrimp products did not meet safety standards and might have become contaminated due to unsanitary conditions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection first found cesium-137 in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia.
The FDA is working closely with distributors and stores to remove affected products. Although later shipments did not test positive, authorities still recommend recalls to keep people safe.
Previous Shrimp Recalls
This recall follows earlier actions where thousands of shrimp packages were pulled from shelves. Some were linked to Walmart, while others were part of Kroger’s Mercado brand. These recalls have raised concerns across the country about seafood safety.
