More frozen shrimp recalled over possible radioactive contamination, FDA warns

This week, grocery stores all over the U.S. are getting another seafood recall. The FDA says that Southwind Foods is taking some of its frozen shrimp products off the market. The move comes after more and more people are worried about the possible radioactive exposure that Cesium-137 could cause.

Why is the shrimp being recalled?

After some frozen shrimp products may have come into contact with Cesium-137, a radioactive substance, Southwind Foods is recalling them. Between July 17 and August 8, the affected brands were sent to nine states.

The Environmental Protection Agency says that Cesium-137 is a silver-white metal that is used in things like gauges and medical equipment, as per a report by NBC News.

In a statement on Thursday, the agency said that the recall was a safety measure. Health officials told people not to eat the affected products, even though no illnesses have been reported. They should either throw them away or take them back to the store for a full refund.

Customers can cross-reference the FDA alert's chart, which includes matching item numbers, product descriptions, UPC, and lot numbers.

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What states got the shrimp that were recalled?

From July 17 to August 8, the recalled shrimp products were sent to stores, wholesalers, and distributors in a number of states. Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington are some of those states.

The FDA hasn't said which grocery stores sold the items that were affected. Sand Bar, Best Yet, Arctic Shores Seafood Company, Great American Seafood Imports Co., and First Street are some of the brands that are being recalled, as per a report by NBC News.

This is the second time this week that frozen shrimp have been recalled. PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati of Indonesia, which is also known as BMS Food, had to recall its shrimp just a few days before this because of the same contamination worries. Walmart stores all over the U.S. sold the company's goods, as per a report by NBC News.


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Following items are being recalled, according to FDA:

Frozen Raw Shrimp 31/40 Sand Bar 2 lb Bag
Item Number- 08890
UPC- 011110641182
Lot Number- 087305
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 31/40 Best Yet 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 06350
UPC- 042187002736
Lot Number- 095944
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 31/40 Best Yet 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 06350
UPC- 042187002736
Lot Number- 111154
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 31/50 Best Yet 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 06062
UPC- 042187002743
Lot Number- 095946
Frozen Large Cooked Shrimp 31/40 Arctic Shores 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 08224
UPC-041130812392
Lot Number- 109562
Frozen Small Cooked Shrimp 61/70 Arctic Shores 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 08127
UPC- 041130810497
Lot Number- 109540
Frozen Small Cooked Shrimp 91/120 White Arctic Shores 12 oz Bag
Item Number- 08128
UPC- 041130810411
Lot Number- 109541
Frozen Cooked Salad Shrimp 150-200 Arctic Shores 6 oz Bag
Item Number- 08129
UPC- 041130811685
Lot Number- 109542
Frozen Raw Shrimp 16/20 Great American 2 lb Bag
Item Number- 06021
UPC- 829944010612
Lot Number- 125143
Frozen Raw Shrimp 16/20 First Street 2 lb Bag
Item Number- 06171
UPC- 041512179471
Lot Number- 130632
Frozen Raw Shrimp 71/90 Great American 2 lb Bag
Item Number- 06102
UPC- 829944010698
Lot Number- 128267
Frozen Cooked Shrimp Meat Great American 1 lb Bag
Item Number- 08523
UPC- 829944092540
Lot Number- 134010
Frozen Cooked Shrimp 41/60 Great American 2 lb Bag
Item Number- 06812
UPC- 829944012173
Lot Number- 128275

What health problems can come from being around Cesium-137?

The FDA said that Cesium-137 in food can be very bad for your health. Repeated exposure to low doses of radioactive material can damage DNA in human cells, which can raise the risk of cancer. But there have been no reports of illness or bad effects linked to this particular recall.

Health experts say that people should stay away from any seafood that could be contaminated until further notice. The FDA is still looking into how the exposure happened, but it has confirmed that it is looking into reports of radioactive contamination in shipping containers connected to the shrimp industry, as per a report by NBC News.

What should people do?

People who may have bought any of the shrimp that were affected should not eat it. The FDA says you should either safely throw away the product or take it back to the store where you bought it to get a full refund.

Southwind Foods hasn't said anything else about how its shrimp came into contact with Cesium-137, but the recall is happening on its own to keep people safe.

FAQs

What shrimp brands are being recalled?
Sand Bar, Best Yet, Arctic Shores, Great American Seafood Imports Co., and First Street.

What should people do if they bought the shrimp that was recalled?
Don't eat it. You can either return it to the store for a refund or throw it away safely.