Seattle-based seafood distributor AquaStar has issued a recall for approximately 85,184 bags of shrimp sold at Kroger and its affiliated grocery chains across 31 states. The action follows concerns that the shrimp may contain traces of the radioactive isotope Cesium-137.
Earlier in September, AquaStar also recalled cocktail shrimp from Walmart and shrimp under the Kroger Mercado brand for similar contamination issues. According to the company’s recall notice, “Traces of Cs-137 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 notice further stated, “The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.”
The affected shrimp products were manufactured by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods) in Indonesia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that items from this supplier violated federal food safety laws due to preparation or storage conditions that could lead to Cs-137 contamination. As described in the recall announcement: “In conjunction with other information, the FDA determined that product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violates the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act in that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.”
Specific products included in this recall are:
– Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp: 49,920 two-pound bags across several lot numbers with best-by dates ranging from March 26 to April 24, 2027.
– Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp: 18,000 two-pound bags with best-by dates of October 22 and October 23, 2027.
– AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers: 17,264 bags weighing 1.25 pounds each with best-by dates between November 7 and November 15, 2027.
These products were distributed through various grocery stores owned by Kroger including Ralphs, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foodsco, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food Stores (https://www.frysfood.com/), Gerbes Super Markets (https://www.gerbes.com/), Jay C Food Stores (https://www.jaycfoods.com/), King Soopers (https://www.kingsoopers.com/), Mariano’s Fresh Market (https://www.marianos.com/), Metro Market (https://www.metromarket.net/), Pay Less Super Markets (https://www.pay-less.com/), Pick ‘n Save (https://www.picknsave.com/), Smith’s Food & Drug Centers (https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/) and QFC.
Consumers who purchased any of these recalled items are advised to return them to their store for a full refund or dispose of them safely. Questions regarding this recall can be directed to AquaStar at 800-331-3440 during business hours Monday through Friday.
The affected states include California; South Carolina; Missouri; Washington; Kentucky; Georgia; Texas; Mississippi; Alaska; Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; Colorado; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Kansas; Louisiana; Michigan; Montana; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oregon; Tennessee; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia and Wyoming.
