More Frozen Shrimp Recalled Over Radioactive Contamination

FDA flagged imported shrimp after radioactive material was detected in shipping containers

AARP

Updated August 22, 2025

Comments

Published August 19, 2025

/ Updated August 22, 2025

Getty Images

This article was created with the assistance of generative AI. It was reviewed by editors before publication.

Another seafood company has recalled frozen shrimp because they may be contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive isotope that can cause cancer.

The recall, announced by Southwest Foods of California, comes just days after the FDA launched an investigation into PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, an Indonesian shrimp processor. That probe led to a separate recall of shrimp products sold at Walmart locations nationwide.

Recent FDA testing at four U.S. ports revealed that one sample of breaded shrimp contained Cs-137. The contaminated shipments were denied entry into the country, and the investigation remains ongoing, it said.

While no contaminated products have been confirmed in U.S. commerce, the FDA believes shrimp packaged by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati may have been produced under unsanitary conditions.

To date, there have been no reports of illnesses or deaths linked to the recalled products.

Which frozen shrimp products have been recalled?

The latest products recalled by Southwind Foods were distributed between July 17 and August 8, 2025, to retailers and distributors in Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Although the announcement didn’t specify which retailers sold the shrimp, the recalled products include:

Arctic Shores

Frozen Large Cooked Shrimp 31/40; Item Number: 08224; UPC: 041130812392; Lot Number: 109562
Frozen Small Cooked Shrimp 61/70; Item Number: 08127; UPC: 041130810497; Lot Number: 109540
Frozen Small Cooked Shrimp 91/120; Item Number: 08128; UPC: 041130810411; Lot Number: 109541
Frozen Cooked Salad Shrimp 150/200; Item Number: 08129; UPC: 041130811685; Lot Number: 109542

Best Yet

Frozen Cooked Shrimp 31/40; Item Number: 06350; UPC: 042187002736; Lot Numbers: 095944, 111154
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 41/50; Item Number: 06062; UPC: 042187002743; Lot Number: 095946

First Street

Frozen Raw Shrimp 16/20; Item Number: 06171; UPC: 041512179471; Lot Number: 130632

Great American

Frozen Raw Shrimp 16/20; Item Number: 06021; UPC: 829944010612; Lot Number: 125143
Frozen Raw Shrimp 71/90; Item Number: 06102; UPC: 829944010698; Lot Number: 128267
Frozen Cooked Shrimp Meat; Item Number: 08523; UPC: 829944092540; Lot Number: 134010
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 41/60; Item Number: 06812; UPC: 829944012173; Lot Number: 128275

Sand Bar

Frozen Raw Shrimp 31/40; Item Number: 08890; UPC: 011110641182; Lot Number: 087305

An earlier recall of frozen shrimp hit Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. Those affected products include:

Great Value Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp

Product Type: Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2-pound bag
Lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1
Best by Date: 3/15/2027
Item Code: 7383108

What should consumers do?

Anyone who purchased the recalled shrimp products should discard them. Retailers and distributors are similarly advised to dispose of the recalled products and refrain from selling or serving them. In case of suspected exposure to elevated levels of cesium, medical consultation is recommended.

For those with questions related to Southwind Foods may contact the company at 323-262-8222.

What are the health risks of Cesium-137?

Testing found about 68 Bq/kg of Cs-137— well below the FDA’s safety threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. At that level, the shrimp would not pose an immediate health risk, but avoiding such products helps reduce long-term exposure to low-dose radiation.

Older adults and people with weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable to Cs-137 exposure. The main health concern from long-term or repeated low-dose exposure is an increased risk of cancer, according to the FDA.

There are two types of tests for radioactive cesium, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One looks for evidence of significant radiation exposure in blood cells or chromosomes, but it cannot confirm cesium as the source. The other measures cesium directly in blood, feces, saliva, urine or the whole body to show whether it’s being excreted or retained.

How is the FDA protecting consumers?

The FDA is working with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to block contaminated products from reaching consumers and is coordinating with Indonesian seafood regulators to investigate the source of the contamination.

Under the current import alert, no shrimp linked to the violation will be allowed into U.S. commerce until PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati addresses the issue. The agency said it is also tracing products from the company through the supply chain and will update this advisory with new product information as it becomes available.

%{postComment}%