On August 28, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for imported cocktail shrimp with a concerning warning about potential contamination. The 6-ounce shrimp packages from AquaStar Corp might have been tainted with cesium-137, a radioactive material. The FDA described cesium-137 as a byproduct of nuclear processes, raising alarms about the safety of these products.
A total of approximately 26,400 packages, imported from Indonesia, were flagged in this recall. The FDA reported, “Traces of Cs-137 are widespread and can be present in the environment at background levels,” hinting at the material’s common presence in various environmental contexts. Yet, heightened levels could emerge from contaminated water or food produced in affected areas.
The health implications are serious. The FDA pointed out that long-term exposure, even at low doses, can produce adverse effects, including an increased risk of cancer due to DNA damage. Such warnings from the FDA send a clear message about the risks associated with the consumption of contaminated food.
These shrimp packages were exclusively sold at Walmart between July 31, 2025, and August 16, 2025, while remaining refrigerated with a shelf life of 12 days. Consumers may find details about this product—its UPC 19434612191 and specific Lot Codes—listed at the bottom of the plastic tray.
Currently, no illnesses have been reported from consuming the contaminated shrimp, but the FDA has advised anyone with these packages to refrain from eating them. Instead, they should return the product to the place of purchase or dispose of it properly to ensure safety. In a release, the FDA stated, “Consumers who have purchased affected shrimp should not consume the product and should dispose of or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.”
This situation escalated further when ABC News revealed that the shrimp was processed by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, operating as BMS Foods in Indonesia. In response to the contamination concerns, the FDA has added this company to a new import alert list, halting its products from entering the U.S. until it addresses compliance issues.
For any questions regarding the recall, AquaStar Corp has made its customer service line available at 1-800-331-3440 during business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST.
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