Seafood Products Sold at Costco, Kroger Recalled Nationwide

Some of the recalled items could potentially cause cancer if consumed regularly.

The Costco logo on the exterior of a Costco store in Richmond, Calif., on July 11, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Shrimp and tuna products sold across various states via Kroger, Costco, and other major outlets are being recalled due to health risks, according to multiple notices published by the Food and Drug Administration.

Washington-based AquaStar (USA) Corp is recalling shrimp products, sold in Kroger, “because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137)” radioisotope, the company said in an announcement published by the FDA on Sept. 21.

In an FDA notice from Sept. 20, Washington-based Western United Fish Company announced the recall of tuna products “because the green onions used in the product have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes” bacteria. The tuna products were sold in Costco.

Both products are private labels carried by the brands.

The AquaStar recall applies to the following products: approximately 49,920 bags of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, roughly 18,000 bags of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, and about 17,264 bags of AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers.

As well as Kroger, the items were sold across 31 states between June 12 and Sept. 17 in Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foodsco, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Supermarkets, Pick ‘n Save, Ralphs, Smith’s, and QFC.

The Cs-137 contamination in the recalled items poses serious dangers to exposed individuals.

“Cs-137 is a man-made radioisotope of cesium,” the company said. “The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.”

In its announcement, AquaStar said that customers who have bought the products must not consume the items and should dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The Western United Fish Company recalled 3,314.7 lbs. of Kirkland Signature brand Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke sold at Costco Warehouse stores on Sept. 18 in 33 states.

The products, with Costco Item Number 17193, have a “sell by” date of Sept. 22.

Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that potentially contaminates the product, is “an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” according to the announcement.

“Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can lead to serious pregnancy complications among pregnant women.”

The recall was initiated after the company was informed by its supplier that the green onions they supplied had tested positive for Listeria.

The Epoch Times reached out to Kroger and Costco for comments, but did not receive a response by publication time.

Tackling Food Contamination

Lawmakers have introduced multiple bills to tackle the issue of food contamination and strengthen safety measures.

In February, a group of lawmakers introduced the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act that aims to give the FDA “the authority to collect microbial samples from concentrated animal feeding operations” when there is a public health need or during periods of disease outbreaks, according to a Feb. 4 statement from Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) office.

Concentrated animal feeding operations refer to agricultural facilities growing a large number of animals in a confined, densely populated space.

Booker said the legislation would empower the FDA and other public health agencies to “properly respond to and investigate outbreaks when they happen and get contaminated food off our grocery shelves.”

In July, a group of senators introduced the Ensuring Safe and Toxic-Free Foods Act that directs the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen the Substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Rule, Sen. Edward J. Markey’s (D-Mass.) office said in a July 17 statement.

“The GRAS Rule acts as a loophole that is currently used by companies to avoid getting pre-market FDA approval for more than 1,000 food chemicals. As a result of this rule, nearly 99 percent of new food chemicals are able to be added to products without triggering any FDA oversight,” Markey’s office added.

The legislation “would prevent chemicals that have been linked to cancer, developmental toxicity, or reproductive toxicity from being categorized as GRAS,” according to the statement.