A Seattle seafood distributor has expanded a recall of cooked and frozen shrimp sold at Kroger grocery stores across the U.S. due to ongoing concerns about potential radioactive contamination.
Aquastar Corp. announced on Saturday that nearly 157,000 additional pounds of shrimp are affected by this recall, primarily due to possible contamination with cesium 137, a radioactive isotope. The expanded recall affects a variety of products, including nearly 50,000 bags of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, around 18,000 bags of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, and more than 17,000 bags of AquaStar Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers.
The impacted shrimp products were sold between June 12 and September 17 in over 30 states, including Bakers, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, and Smith's, among others.
This new recall is part of an ongoing saga; Aquastar previously recalled shrimp products in August. The health risks associated with low levels of cesium 137 exposure are reportedly small, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has remarked that there may be potential health concerns for individuals who are exposed over time.
In August, the FDA issued a safety alert advising consumers to avoid certain frozen shrimp imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, an Indonesian company known as BMS Foods, due to cesium 137 found in shipment containers arriving at U.S. ports. The FDA emphasized that no contaminated shrimp reached consumers, but acknowledged that other shipments could have been manufactured under risky conditions.
Over 3 million pounds of shrimp from BMS Foods arrived at U.S. ports in September, sparking further scrutiny. While experts agree the health risk posed by cesium 137 is low, it is vital to identify and communicate the contamination's source to the public, according to specialists in nuclear radiation.
In light of these developments, consumers are urged to stay informed regarding the safety of seafood products and specific recalls that may affect their purchases.
