TOPEKA (KSNT) – Federal health officials say thousands of bags of shrimp distributed under the Kroger brand may be contaminated with radioactive material.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a press release on Aug. 28 that AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle, Washington is recalling 18,000 bags of “Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp” as they may be contaminated with a radioactive material. The shrimp may have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions that were contaminated with cesium-137.
The FDA said that cesium-137 is a man-made radioisotope of cesium that can bring about an elevated risk of cancer over a long period of time and repeated low dose exposure. Cesium-137 is created by nuclear fission for use in medical devices and gauges and is also a byproduct of nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons testing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Stores including Baker’s, Gerbes, Jay C, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Supermarkets and Pick ‘n Save sold the potentially contaminated shrimp. States included in the recall include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
The FDA reports the recalled shrimp were sold between July 24, 2025 and Aug. 11, 2025 and came in 2-pound net weight clear plastic bags. The following UPC codes are included in the recall:
- UPC 011110626196, Lot code 10662 5139, Best Before 11/19/2027.
- UPC 011110626196, Lot code 10662 5140, Best Before 11/20/2027.
(Photo Courtesy/FDA)
(Photo Courtesy/FDA)
(Photo Courtesy/FDA)
(Photo Courtesy/FDA)
(Photo Courtesy/FDA)
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The FDA said it is investigating reports of cesium-137 contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati based out of Indonesia. No illnesses have been reported yet in connection to the recalled shrimp.
“FDA 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. In conjunction with other information, FDA determined that product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violates the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act in that it 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.”
FDA statement
The FDA recommends that people who have purchased the recalled shrimp should avoid contact with the products. People should either throw the shrimp away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. You can contact the company with questions at 1-800-331-3440 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
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