Additional recalls of possibly radioactive shrimp imported from Indonesia are taking place in the United States after US Customs and Border Protection officials detected Cesium 137 in shipping containers of shrimp sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) to several American ports. The company reportedly supplies roughly 6% of foreign shrimp imported in the United States.
After previously initiating the withdrawal of almost 50,000 bags of 2-lb. Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp and approximately 18,000 bags of 2-lb. Kroger Mercado Cooked Tail-Off Shrimp from store shelves, AquaStar (USA) Corp. of Seattle, Washington has announced the recall of approximately 8,000 bags of 1.25-lb. Reserve Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers imported from Indonesia. The reason is that the farm-raised shellfish could have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cesium137 (Cs-137) possibly attributed to “activities” at a metal melting facility near a shrimp processing plant in Jakarta operated by PT Bahari Makmur Sejat.
Additionally, Vernon, California-based Lawrence Wholesale is recalling “a limited quantity” of Kroger bagged frozen shrimp and other Kroger frozen shrimp products sold by the retail chain at stores in 31 states for the same reason. This follows recalls last month initiated by Southwind Foods of Carson, California and Beaver Street Fisheries of Jacksonville, Florida.
According to a press release issued by AquaStar: “Cs-137 is a man-made radioisotope of cesium. Traces of it are widespread and can be present in the environment at background levels, and at higher levels in water or foods grown, raised or produced in areas with environmental contamination. The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of one’s body.
The affected AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers product was sold in Food Lion stores in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, between July 7, 2025, and Sept. 20, 2025.
The recalled item is packaged in a printed bag with a black top and blue bottom, along with a printed image of the skewers inside. It is labeled with the following UPC, lot codes and “Best If Used By” dates, which can be found on the back of the bag.
• 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
No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased the affected shrimp should not consume the product. It should be disposed of or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
