The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its active recall of shrimp due to possible contamination with cesium-137, a radioactive isotope as detailed here, Radioactive shrimp: recall just got bigger. The recall now includes several more brands that are sold at large retailers such as Walmart and Kroger. Consumers are advised to check their freezers and return any affected shrimp products right away.
Why the recall is happening
Routine monitoring of imports of frozen shrimp imported and processed in August 2025 by Indonesian exporter BMS Foods detected trace amounts of cesium-137. Although the amounts detected, at about 68 becquerels per kilogram, are far below the FDA’s safety intervention level of 1,200 becquerels per kilogram, any amount of the radioactive material in food is prohibited under federal law. The contamination poses a potential health risk if consumed repeatedly over time due to the radiation’s long-term effects on DNA.
Scope of the expanded recall
The FDA has expanded the recall eight times since the initial recall notice in mid-August. The latest additions, released in September, include AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle and Southwind Foods LLC of Carson, California. The products have reached more than 30 states, reflecting broad geographic reach.
Recalled shrimp sold at Walmart
The Walmart recall includes a number of shrimp products that carry the Great Value and AquaStar brands. Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp, found in Walmart stores in 13 states, includes raw shrimp and shrimp cocktail products bearing specific lot numbers that were shipped from late July to mid-August 2025.
Further, AquaStar Cocktail Shrimp, packaged in clear plastic trays, was shipped to Walmart stores in 27 states from the same period to specific lot codes and UPCs. Consumers who bought these products in the implicated states within the given dates are advised to refrain from consumption and return them for refunds.
Recalled shrimp available at Kroger
Kroger’s list of recalled items is long, encompassing a number of shrimp products sold under Kroger’s private label as well as allied brands. These are among 2-pound packs of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp distributed at several Kroger-affiliated stores such as Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and King Soopers in 31 states from June through mid-September 2025. Also recalled are Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp in 2-pound packs and AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-On Shrimp Skewers in 1.25-pound packs, both of which were distributed over the same timeframe and over the same stores.
Southwind Foods frozen shrimp products with the brands Sand Bar, Best Yet, Arctic Shores, Great American, and First Street that were distributed in nine states between July and early August 2025 are also recalled.
States affected by the recall
The recall spans a large area of the United States, with Walmart products reaching 13 to 27 states per each of the shrimp products. Kroger’s recall reaches 31 states, and Southwind Foods’ products have been sent out in nine states. Consumers who live in these states need to be on high alert and keep themselves updated via official channels.
Actions for consumers
Consumers are advised not to consume any of the recalled shrimp products but rather discard them safely or return them to the retailer for a full refund. Customers can contact AquaStar (USA) Corp directly by phone during business hours for further information or inquiry or check the FDA’s official recall sites. It is wise to keep up to date since it is possible the recall list could keep growing.
No illnesses related to these shrimp products have been reported by the FDA so far. However, while a single exposure to low-level radioactive contamination will not cause harm, repeated long-term consumption may increase the risk of cancer since radiation exposure is cumulative. Consumers should follow recall instructions carefully to minimize any potential health risk and monitor for future recalls or FDA announcements.
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