The FDA Is Recalling Radioactive Shrimp (Yes, Really) – Here’s What To Check for in Your Freezer
Shrimp sold at Walmart has been recalled in 27 states, with the agency’s investigation still ongoing.
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Freezer alert: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded a recall of frozen shrimp processed by Indonesian firm PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (a.k.a. BMS Foods) because it may contain radioactive material. The recall affects brands sold under multiple brand names and across multiple states.
Why Is Frozen Shrimp Being Recalled?
It all started on August 19, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was “actively investigating” reports that shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by the Indonesian company and received at four U.S. ports — Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami — had been contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137).
Cs-137 is a radioactive isotope produced by nuclear fission that is used in medical and industrial devices. It is also a byproduct of nuclear fission processes related to nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons testing. External exposure to large amounts of Cs-137 can cause burns, radiation sickness and death, and it can increase the risk of cancer. When Cs-137 is injected or inhaled, the radioactive material may be distributed via soft (especially muscle) tissues and further elevate the risk of cancer, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After the FDA confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in a sample of breaded shrimp, it began working with other agencies to explore the contamination and prevent affected products from reaching consumers.
Which Shrimp Products Are Being Recalled?
The contaminated shrimp “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.” At that time, the FDA said that Walmart may have received contaminated raw frozen shrimp and recommended a recall of several lots of Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp.
“Consumers should not eat or serve certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart,” the FDA said in its August 19 notice. “If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product.”
As the FDA has continued its ongoing investigation, it has issued a series of updates, recalling additional brands and products distributed to retailers, distributors and wholesalers (not only Walmart) in at least 27 states.
The latest update issued by the FDA is dated September 2, 2025. You can find, either linked or listed, all the products that have been recalled on this page. These include frozen raw and cooked shrimp, shrimp cocktails and more.
Individual updates — implicated products from three firms — are also listed below:
- August 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall
- August 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall
- August 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand
- August 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand
- August 29, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall
“Additional recalls have been initiated by firms who have reached out directly to their customers,” the FDA says, noting that its investigation is “ongoing” and that it will continue to update consumers “as more information becomes available.”
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