AquaStar (USA) Corp. of Seattle, WA,is recalling more than 155,000 pounds of frozen Kroger shrimp because it may have been contaminated with radioactive material.
The 77.5 tons of Kroger shrimp was sold at 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 stores in AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV and WY between June 12, 2025 and Sept. 17, 2025.
There is concern that consumers may have the shrimp in their freezers because of its long shelf life, which reaches into 2027.
The recalled products are Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp in 2-pound bags, Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp in 2-pound bags, and AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers in 1.75-pound bags. To see photos of all of the recalled shrimp, click here.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the shrimp may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137).
Cs-137 is a man-made radioisotope of cesium. The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure through consumption of contaminated food or water over time resulting in an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.
The FDA is investigating whether the shrimp may have become contaminated after being shipped in contaminated containers. To date no contaminated shrimp has been found.
The recalled Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp is packaged in transparent plastic bags printed bag with a blue band on the top with yellow and red details, and has the following codes:
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5085 10, Best If Used By: 03 26 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5097 11, Best If Used By: 04 07 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5106 11, Best If Used By: 04 16 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5107 10, Best If Used By: 04 17 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5111 11, Best If Used By: 04 21 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5112 10, Best If Used By: 04 22 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5113 10, Best If Used By: 04 23 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5113 11, Best If Used By: 04 23 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5114 10, Best If Used By: 04 24 27
- UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5114 11, Best If Used By: 04 24 27
The recalled Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp is packaged in clear plastic bags and has a white label with green stripes on top of each bag and has the following codes:
- UPC 011110626196, lot code 10662 5112 11, Best Before: 10 22 2027
- UPC 011110626196, lot code 10662 5113 10, Best Before: 10 23 2027
The recalled AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers; net wt. 1.25 lbs., is packaged in plastic bags printed with a black top and blue bottom and printed pictures of the skewers inside, and has the following codes:
- UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5127 10, Best If Used By: 11 07 2027
- UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5128 11, Best If Used By: 11 08 2027
- UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5133 11, Best If Used By: 11 13 2027
- UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5135 10, Best If Used By: 11 15 2027
The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, doing business as BMS Foods, of Indonesia. No illnesses have been reported to date. As noted in the FDA statement issued on Aug. 19: “At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce.
“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.”
Consumers who have purchased affected shrimps should not consume the product and should dispose of or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-331-3440.
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