FDA Sounds Alarm: Radioactive Shrimp Recall Hits U.S. Stores

Hey shrimp lovers: pause that seafood boil! The FDA has issued a frozen shrimp recall after detecting possible Cesium-137 contamination in several brands including Southwind Foods and Beaver Street Fisheries. These products hit shelves in multiple states, and while no one’s gotten sick, the advice is clear: don’t eat them. Toss or return them now.

The warning stems from shrimp supplied by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods) in Indonesia. U.S. Customs flagged contaminated shipping containers, and subsequent FDA testing confirmed possible radioactive exposure. To protect consumers, both Walmart’s Great Value shrimp and products distributed by Southwind Foods, LLC have been recalled.

Southwind Foods in Carson, California, is recalling 13 types of frozen shrimp. These are raw and cooked shrimp in 1- and 2-pound bags. Brands include Sand Bar, Best Yet, Arctic Shores, Great American, and First Street. They were sold in Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington from July 17 to August 8, 2025.

Walmart’s Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp EZ-Peel & Deveined Tail-On (21-25 count per pound) is also affected. Check lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, or 8005539-1, with a best-by date of March 15, 2027. These were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia from July 28 to August 7, 2025.

Cesium-137 is a radioactive material produced in nuclear reactors or weapons tests. It’s a soft, silvery metal that emits radiation over a 30-year decay period. Small amounts exist naturally in soil and water, but high exposure can harm DNA and increase cancer risks. While some Cesium-137 is used in medical tools, food regulators monitor it carefully. The potential risks and details of this recall have also been shared by Dr. Zachary Rubin, MD, in his Instagram reel.

The FDA is working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They’re also talking to Indonesian officials. They want to know how this happened. The supplier, BMS Foods, is banned from U.S. imports for now. No contaminated shrimp have reached the U.S. food supply. The FDA is tracking every batch to ensure safety.

Don’t eat these shrimp. Throw them out or return them for a refund. Got questions? Call Southwind Foods at 323-262-8222, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM Pacific. Beaver Street Fisheries is at 904-354-8533, same days, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern. Concerned about exposure then contact your doctor. Report issues on the FDA’s online portal.

(Rh/Eth/VK)