Key Points:
- Frozen shrimp recall expands to 17 states after products tested positive for radioactive Cesium 137.
- Affected shrimp, from Indonesia’s BMS Foods, sold under Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro at major grocery stores.
- Consumers should discard the shrimp; long-term exposure to Cesium 137 poses serious health risks.
Federal health officials have expanded a frozen shrimp recall involving products sold in multiple U.S. states after additional testing detected Cesium 137, a radioactive substance regulated due to long term health risks. The latest update affects shrimp distributed under multiple brand names and sold at major grocery chains, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA said the recall involves raw frozen shrimp imported from Indonesia and processed by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, also known as BMS Foods. The first recall notice was issued on Aug. 19, after routine testing detected Cesium 137 in certain shrimp products. Since then, the agency has released several additional notices as more products were identified through follow up investigations.
On December 19, the FDA added new items to the frozen shrimp recall, including products distributed by Washington based Direct Source Seafood LLC. These products were sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brand names and reached consumers in 17 states. No illnesses have been reported so far.
Products and States Included in the Expanded Recall
The expanded frozen shrimp recall includes approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp imported from Indonesia. The products were sold at different grocery chains under separate labels.
One recalled item is a one pound bag of Market 32 frozen raw shrimp with a UPC code of 041735013583. The affected dates range from April 22, 2027, through April 27, 2027. These products were sold at Price Chopper stores after July 11, 2025. States affected include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Another recalled product includes two pound bags of Waterfront Bistro frozen raw shrimp with a UPC code of 02113013224-9. The best by dates listed are April 25, 2027, and April 26, 2027. These shrimp were sold at Jewel Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, Lucky, and Supermarket stores on or after June 30, 2025. States affected include Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.
The FDA said these products were added to an ongoing recall list that already includes shrimp sold under other brand names. Consumers are urged to check their freezers carefully, especially if they purchased frozen shrimp from the listed retailers during the affected time periods.
Why Cesium 137 Is a Health Concern
Cesium 137 is a radioactive form of the chemical element cesium. It is created through nuclear fission and does not occur naturally in large amounts. According to the FDA, Cesium 137 is used in the United States for certain medical devices and industrial measurement equipment.
Because small amounts of this substance are present worldwide due to past nuclear activity, trace levels can sometimes be detected in soil, air, and food. Federal agencies routinely test imported foods to ensure radiation levels remain within safe limits. When limits are exceeded, a frozen shrimp recall is issued to protect public health.
The FDA said long term exposure to low levels of radiation can lead to serious health problems. These may include burns, radiation sickness, and an increased risk of cancer. For this reason, agencies closely monitor foods for radioactive contamination and act quickly when elevated levels are detected.
PT Bahari Makmur Sejati has been placed on an import alert, which prevents its food products from entering the United States until safety concerns are addressed. This step is intended to limit further exposure while investigations continue.
Consumers affected by this frozen shrimp recall should discard the product and avoid eating or serving it. Retailers and distributors should also dispose of the affected items. Anyone concerned about possible exposure should contact a medical provider for guidance.
