On December 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States expanded the recall scope of frozen shrimp, involving over 83,000 bags of raw shrimp. The reason behind this recall is the potential contamination of these shrimp with the radioactive substance Cs-137.
The FDA announcement stated that these shrimp were imported from Indonesia and sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands in states such as Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, Vermont, and Wyoming.
Stores selling these shrimp include Price Chopper, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, and Lucky Supermarket.
At Price Chopper supermarket, the shrimp are sold in 1-pound packaging with UPC barcodes 041735 and 013583. In other stores, they are sold in 2-pound packaging with barcodes 021130 and 13224-9.
The FDA warned that prolonged exposure to Cs-137 can increase the risk of cancer. As of December 23, no cases have been reported. The FDA also mentioned that no U.S. products have tested positive for Cs-137 contamination.
The announcement urged customers who have purchased the affected shrimp products to dispose of them or return them to the store.
In August, the FDA recalled frozen shrimp produced by Pt. Bahari Makmur Sejati company due to potential Cs-137 contamination. Ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia, detected this radioactive substance. The recall also included Great Value brand frozen shrimp sold at Walmart.
Later in August, Walmart was involved in another shrimp recall incident, with shrimp imported from Indonesia being removed from shelves due to radiation contamination.
As food safety remains a top priority, consumers are advised to stay informed about product recalls and follow guidance provided by regulatory agencies like the FDA to ensure their well-being and health.