FDA Warns More Shrimp Recalled Over Possible Radioactive Contamination

The products were sold under the brand names Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American, and First Street, says a recall notice.

The Food and Drug Administration in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

A food company said it is recalling frozen shrimp across several states due to the possible presence of a radioactive substance, according to an announcement posted by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, following a warning issued by the agency about frozen shrimp.

Carson, California-based Southwind Foods said it is voluntarily recalling “a limited quantity” of its frozen shrimp in Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington state, according to the notice.

The shrimp was distributed between July 17 and Aug. 8 to retailers, distributors, and wholesalers.

The products were sold under the brand names Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American, and First Street, said the FDA notice. The company said that no illnesses or adverse events were reported in connection with the recalled products.

The FDA also issued a separate alert about the Southwind Foods shrimp recall due to the presence of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a manmade radioactive isotope. The shrimp was processed by Indonesia-based PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, which does business as BMS Foods.

Earlier this week, the FDA released a warning about Walmart Great Value frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart stores in multiple states due to their being potentially contaminated by the radioactive isotope. That shrimp was also processed by the Indonesian company.

Walmart has since initiated a recall of the Great Value frozen shrimp, a spokesperson told media outlets this week.

The Epoch Times contacted Walmart for comment, but received no response.

“At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 ... has entered the U.S. commerce,” the FDA said Thursday, adding that the agency is working with retailers and distributors that received products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati.

The FDA said that it has found “that product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violates the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act in that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.”

Meanwhile, the FDA has added PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to its import alert list for “chemical contamination to stop products from this firm” from entering the United States until the company resolves the issue, it said.

Cs-137 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations, and accidents. It’s widespread around the world, with trace amounts found in the environment, including soil, food, and air, officials say.

“If you recently purchased one of the impacted lots of raw or cooked frozen shrimp, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product,” the FDA warned, adding that retailers and distributors also should dispose of the products and shouldn’t serve or sell the product.

People who believe they have been exposed to radiation contamination due to elevated levels of cesium should speak to a health care provider, the agency added.

Symptoms of radiation sickness can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, low blood pressure, infections, hair loss, weakness and fatigue, and mental changes, the Mayo Clinic says on its website.