Published: September-23-2025, 15:00 EDT

A Seattle-based seafood distributor has expanded its recall of shrimp products sold at Kroger-owned grocery stores nationwide due to concerns about possible radioactive contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the products may contain trace amounts of cesium 137, a radioactive isotope linked to nuclear activity. Officials stress the health risk is low, but the ongoing investigation highlights gaps in seafood import safety and monitoring.

Expanded Recall Covers 157,000 Pounds of Shrimp

Aquastar Corp. announced on Saturday that it is recalling nearly 157,000 additional pounds of cooked and frozen shrimp. The affected products were sold between June 12 and September 17 across more than 30 states under several Kroger-owned brands.

The recall includes:

• Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp (nearly 50,000 bags)

• Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp (about 18,000 bags)

• AquaStar Peeled Tail-On Shrimp Skewers (more than 17,000 bags)

The shrimp products were distributed to major grocery chains including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, Smith’s, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pick ‘n Save, Dillons, and others.

Aquastar previously recalled shrimp in August as part of the same FDA investigation into contamination linked to imports from Indonesia.

FDA Links Contamination to Indonesian Supplier

The FDA confirmed that the shrimp under investigation was imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), an Indonesian seafood processor. Earlier this year, FDA inspectors detected cesium 137 in shipping containers from the company and in a sample of frozen breaded shrimp.

Although the shrimp that directly tested positive was not released for sale, the agency warned that other shipments may have been exposed to contamination during production or transport. In response, the FDA issued an import alert in August to block potentially unsafe shrimp from entering the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show that more than 3 million pounds of shrimp from BMS Foods entered U.S. ports in September, underscoring the scale of the issue.

What Is Cesium 137 and Why It Matters

Cesium 137 is a byproduct of nuclear fission and is commonly released from nuclear reactors and weapons testing. The isotope can contaminate soil, water, or industrial environments when radioactive waste is mishandled.

Health experts note that short-term exposure to small amounts of cesium 137 is unlikely to cause immediate harm. However, prolonged consumption of contaminated food could increase risks of cancer and other illnesses.

The FDA said that testing revealed levels of about 68 becquerels per kilogram in the shrimp, well below its safety threshold of 1,200 becquerels per kilogram. Still, the agency emphasized caution, stating the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” if consumed over extended periods.

Possible Source: Contaminated Industrial Metal

Investigators believe the contamination may stem from conditions at or near the Indonesian shrimp processor’s facility. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), evidence suggests exposure could have come from radioactive scrap metal or activities at a nearby smelting plant.

So far, U.S. officials have declined to answer detailed questions from the Associated Press about the source or full scope of the contamination. The uncertainty has fueled calls from consumer groups for greater transparency and tighter regulation of seafood imports.

Regulatory and Industry Response

The FDA continues to monitor shipments from BMS Foods and other suppliers while testing imported seafood for potential contamination. Import alerts remain in place to prevent additional affected products from reaching U.S. grocery shelves.

Kroger and Aquastar both issued public statements emphasizing their cooperation with federal regulators. The companies urged customers who purchased recalled shrimp to return it for a full refund and avoid consumption.

Food safety experts stressed that while the health risk appears minimal, quick action is essential to maintain consumer trust. “Even at low levels, radioactive contamination in food must be taken seriously,” said Dr. Alan Rosen, a professor of environmental health at the University of Washington. “The public deserves clear communication about the risks and the steps being taken to ensure safety.”

Consumer Impact Across the U.S.

The recall affects shoppers in more than 30 states where Kroger operates under multiple store banners. Consumers have been advised to check packaging details carefully and discard or return any affected shrimp.

The incident has also raised questions about supply chain oversight, given the volume of seafood imported annually from Southeast Asia. The U.S. imports more than 90 percent of its seafood, and shrimp remains the single most consumed variety.

Looking Ahead: Food Safety in Global Trade

This case highlights broader challenges in regulating global food supply chains. Experts say contamination events—whether involving bacteria, chemicals, or radioactive materials—underscore the need for stronger international cooperation and inspection systems.

For now, regulators continue to investigate the Indonesian facility, while the FDA maintains its import alert on shrimp products from BMS Foods. Until the source of contamination is fully identified, food safety advocates recommend ongoing testing and stricter monitoring of imported seafood products.

Source: AP News –More shrimp sold at Kroger stores recalled for possible radioactive contamination

The post Kroger Expands Shrimp Recall Over Potential Radioactive Contamination appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Published Time: 09-06-2025, 10:15 EDT

Radioactive contamination at an industrial site in Indonesia may be responsible for recent massive recalls of frozen shrimp imported to the United States, international nuclear safety officials report. The contamination has prompted regulatory agencies to halt further shipments while investigating the source.

Radioactive Cesium Detected at Processing Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Indonesian nuclear regulators detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, at a seafood processing facility in Serang, west of Jakarta. The plant exported millions of pounds of frozen shrimp to the U.S.

“Preliminary information suggests that it may have originated from activities at a metal melting facility at the same industrial site or from the disposal of scrap metal to other areas of the site,” said IAEA spokesperson Fredrik Dahl in a statement.

No U.S. investigators have yet visited the site, federal authorities said.

Massive Shrimp Recalls Underway

The exporter, PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), has voluntarily recalled over 300 shipping containers already en route to U.S. ports, Dahl added.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported last month that Cesium-137 was detected in shipping containers arriving at four U.S. ports and in a sample of imported frozen shrimp. This prompted widespread recalls from major retailers, including Walmart and Kroger.

This week, Tampa Maid Foods LLC of Florida issued additional recalls for breaded butterfly shrimp sold under labels such as Admiral of the Fleet and Portico Seafood Classic.

“None of the shrimp that triggered alerts or tested positive for Cesium-137 was released for sale,” the FDA said. However, other shipments may have been processed under conditions that allowed for potential contamination.

Health Risks and Regulatory Response

Although the risk to the public appears limited, the FDA warns that long-term exposure to low levels of Cesium-137 could pose potential health concerns. To prevent further contamination, the agency issued an import alert for shrimp from BMS Foods.

Records indicate that the company exported roughly 12 million pounds of shrimp to ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia, during July and August, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data analyzed by trade firm Import Genius.

CBP alerted the FDA about the possible radioactive contamination in multiple shipping containers. In response, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has deployed emergency teams to isolate and assess Cesium-137 levels, according to a U.S. Energy Department spokesperson.

Cesium-137 Levels and Expert Insights

The detected Cesium-137 concentration in shrimp measured approximately 68 becquerels per kilogram, significantly below the FDA’s threshold of 1,200 becquerels per kilogram that would necessitate health protections.

“It’s unusual to see that concentration of Cesium-137 in shrimp,” said Steve Biegalski, a nuclear medicine expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Experts suggest the contamination could originate from recycled medical equipment containing Cesium-137. Historically, the isotope has been used in medical devices for blood sterilization and cancer treatment. If not properly removed during recycling, the radioactive material could inadvertently enter the environment.

“If they get broken up in some sort of crushing mechanism, then all of a sudden, it’s basically a salt,” Biegalski explained. “It would be like you taking a giant salt shaker and spreading it all over the kitchen floor.”

Containment and Cleanup Efforts

Containing and mitigating radioactive contamination requires specialized training and procedures. Experts emphasize the importance of tracking, isolating, and safely cleaning up the affected site to prevent further exposure.

“It needs to be tracked down, isolated and cleaned up,” Biegalski said, highlighting the urgency of managing radioactive material safely.

U.S. and international authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with Indonesian regulators to ensure that further shipments are halted and contaminated sites are properly secured.

Global Implications

This incident underscores the risks associated with global seafood supply chains and the importance of strict safety protocols for imported food products. While the immediate health risk to consumers appears low, ongoing monitoring and rigorous enforcement remain essential to prevent future contamination.

Authorities are urging vigilance in industrial recycling practices and nuclear material handling, especially when such materials may intersect with food processing operations.

Source: AP News – Radioactive metal at an Indonesia industrial site may be linked to shrimp recall

The post Radioactive Cesium Found at Indonesian Plant May Be Source of U.S. Shrimp Recalls appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.