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By Matt Cannon
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Recalls of more than 100,000 units of potentially radioactive shrimp products sold in Kroger stores across the United States have been given food inspectors' highest risk level, Class I.
Lawrence Wholesale of Vernon, California, is recalling 100,800 units of Shrimp Cocktail Bowl in 7- and 17-ounce clear plastic packaging, and 4,871 cases of Frozen Cooked Tail-On Farm Raised Shrimp in 12- and 32-ounce clear plastic bags.
The products were on sale in Kroger stores in 16 states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in an update on Friday. An earlier news release on September 23 had named 31 states.
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Why It Matters
Cesium-137 exposure, even at low but repeated doses, is linked by health authorities to elevated cancer risks. The affected products—linked to Indonesian processing facilities—have prompted coordinated recalls, import alerts and enhanced FDA scrutiny across the seafood industry.
Newsweek contacted Lawrence Wholesale and the FDA for comment on Friday.
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What to Know
Several companies have issued voluntary recalls of shrimp products suspected of possible Cs-137 contamination.
Related recalls were first issued on August 19 and have since been expanded on eight occasions, with Lawrence Wholesale's recall the latest in the list.
The FDA traced the contamination to Indonesian seafood processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods).
Cs-137 was detected in a shipment from the firm at a level of 68 Bq/kg, which is below the FDA's intervention threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. However, the FDA issued an import alert, stating: “Repeated low dose exposure to Cs-137 can increase the risk of cancer due to DNA damage."
The FDA, together with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has blocked further shrimp imports from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, requiring the firm to demonstrate remediation before resuming shipments.
The following lot numbers are affected by the latest Class I recalls:
The FDA classifies recalls into one of three designations to indicate the relative degree of health hazard:
- Class I - a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
- Class II - a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
- Class III - a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
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What People Are Saying
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on August 19, when first announcing the wider issue: “At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce.”
What Happens Next
Consumers who purchased any affected shrimp products are advised not to eat them, and should return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Concerns or reports of adverse effects can be directed to the FDA's Human Foods Program at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).
Investigations are ongoing, and the FDA continues to coordinate with domestic and international authorities to contain and remedy radioactive contamination in imported seafood.
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