Federal regulators expanded a recall of frozen shrimp over possible radioactive contamination, warning consumers in nine states to avoid products linked to Indonesia-based BMS Foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the products may contain Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope associated with an elevated risk of cancer.
California-based Southwind Foods issued the latest recall, covering frozen shrimp sold under the brands Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American and First Street. The bagged products were distributed between July 17 and Aug. 8 to retailers and wholesalers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington state.
The FDA said in its alert: "The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia." The agency advised consumers not to eat the recalled shrimp and to either discard the items or return them for a refund.
Earlier this week, Walmart recalled packages of its Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold in 13 states after officials detected traces of Cesium-137 in containers sent to four U.S. ports and in a sample of breaded shrimp imported by BMS Foods.
FDA officials noted that while Cesium-137 occurs widely in the environment, the primary risk of repeat low-dose exposure is "an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body." The agency said no illnesses had been reported as of Tuesday.
The recall highlights broader food safety concerns. Millions of Americans experience foodborne illness or sensitivities each year, and the FDA has pointed to a growing number of recalls linked to contamination, damaged products and undeclared allergens.
Consumers can check the FDA alert for item numbers, product descriptions, UPCs and lot codes tied to the recall. Additional details are available on the agency's Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts website.
