More than 85,000 shrimp packages sold at Kroger-owned grocery stores across the US are being urgently recalled due to potential contamination with radioactive cesium-137 (Cs-137). This recall adds alarm to a growing concern about radioactive substances found in seafood products, underlining serious food safety issues for consumers nationwide.
The AquaStar Corp of Seattle announced the recall on September 21, targeting multiple shrimp products—including Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, and AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers—after detecting possible insanitary conditions and contamination with Cs-137. Experts warn that repeated exposure to cesium-137 through food or water may significantly increase cancer risk.
Widespread Distribution Across Kroger-Owned Stores
The recalled shrimp were sold across a vast footprint of Kroger-owned grocery brands between June 12 and September 17, 2025, making this one of the largest food safety recalls related to radioactive contamination to date. Consumers in the following states purchased potentially affected shrimp products:
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
The shrimp were available at various stores including 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.
Specific Products and Lot Codes Under Recall
The recall focuses on specific shrimp packages with detailed lot codes and UPC numbers:
- Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp—two-pound packets with blue and yellow printed bags (UPCs: 20011110643906) with multiple lot codes, e.g., 10662 5085 10 (Best If Used By: 03-26-27) through 10662 5114 11 (Best If Used By: 04-24-27).
- Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp—two-pound clear plastic bags with green stripes (UPC 011110626196), lot codes 10662 5112 11 and 10662 5113 10, with Best Before dates til 10-23-2027.
- AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers—1.25-pound printed bags with black and blue coloring (UPC 731149390010), lot codes 10662 5127 10 through 10662 5135 10, with expiration dates extending to 11-15-2027.
Despite the recall, no illnesses associated with these products have been reported to date. The FDA is actively investigating the source of contamination linked to PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods) of Indonesia, the supplier involved in processing these shrimp products.
Import Alert and Investigation into PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati
As part of ongoing safety efforts, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been placed on a stringent import alert for chemical contamination, halting shipments of their food products into the United States until compliance and safety issues are resolved.
The FDA is collaborating with Indonesian regulatory authorities to determine the root cause of cesium contamination, aiming to avoid further risks to consumers.
“In August, the FDA confirmed that no shrimp products testing positive for cesium-137 had entered U.S. commerce,” the agency stated while continuing its investigation.
Safety Measures for Consumers and Next Steps
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled shrimp products are urged not to consume or serve them. Instead, customers should:
- Discard the shrimp packages safely,
- Return them to the store for a full refund,
- Contact AquaStar Corp customer service at 1-800-331-3440 for questions, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone concerned about possible exposure to cesium-137 should seek immediate medical advice. Consumers can report adverse reactions or complaints through the FDA’s Industry and Consumer Assistance portal.
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Understanding Cesium-137 and Its Health Risks
Cesium-137 is a radioisotope produced by nuclear fission, widely used in medical devices and industrial measuring gauges. It is a byproduct of nuclear reactors and weapons testing, which leads to trace contamination in the environment including soil, air, and food.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and FDA closely monitor levels of Cs-137 because long-term low-level exposure can cause:
- Acute radiation sickness,
- Burns from radiation,
- Increased risk of cancer, and
- Potentially death in extreme cases.
“Due to these risks, agencies strictly regulate cesium-137 exposure to protect public health,” said an FDA spokesperson.
This latest recall follows earlier actions in recent weeks involving similar shrimp products recalled by Walmart and Southwind Foods under radiation contamination concerns, highlighting a growing challenge in ensuring seafood safety nationwide. For more detailed background, visit the full report at USA TODAY.
What Do You Need to Know?
- More than 85,000 bags of shrimp from Kroger stores nationwide recalled due to possible radioactive contamination.
- Contamination involves cesium-137 (Cs-137), a byproduct of nuclear fission with serious health risks.
- Affected shrimp sold across 35+ states in Kroger-owned chains.
- Supplier PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati placed under import alert to prevent further risks.
- No illnesses reported so far, but FDA advises consumers to avoid affected products immediately.
What do you think about this recall? Have you recently purchased shrimp from Kroger or its affiliated stores? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!