AquaStar Expands Frozen Shrimp Recall Due to Contamination

News Summary

AquaStar (USA) Corp has expanded a recall of over 80,000 packages of frozen shrimp sold at Kroger stores because of potential cesium-137 contamination. This includes both raw and cooked shrimp varieties and items sold across more than 30 states. Consumers are advised to return or discard the affected products, although no illnesses have been reported. Health officials are highlighting the risks associated with cesium-137 exposure and the need for strict food safety monitoring.

Detroit, MI – AquaStar (USA) Corp has expanded a recall involving over 80,000 packages of frozen shrimp sold at Kroger stores due to potential cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination. This recall includes both raw and cooked shrimp, as well as shrimp skewers, and affects products sold in more than 30 states across the U.S., including Michigan.

The initial recall was announced in August, but health officials have now confirmed the recall’s expansion to include shrimp products available at Kroger and its affiliated stores. Consumers should be aware that the tainted shrimp may have been prepared or packed under “insanitary conditions,” raising health concerns regarding contamination.

Types of Affected Products

The specific recalled items include:

• Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp in 2-pound bags featuring UPC 20011110643906 and various lot codes and Best If Used By dates from March and April 2027.
• Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp in 2-pound packages with UPC 011110626196 and Best Before dates of October 2027.
• AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers in 1.25-pound packages with UPC 731149390010 and several Best If Used By dates in November 2027.

These shrimp were distributed not just at Kroger locations, but also at a number of other grocery stores, including Fred Meyer, Fry’s, and Ralphs.

Health Risks of Cesium-137 Contamination

The contamination is linked to cesium-137, a man-made radioisotope that poses a risk to human health. Long-term exposure to Cs-137 can potentially increase the risk of cancer by causing damage to DNA within living cells.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after detecting Cs-137 in shipping containers at major ports including Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. Following this, the FDA’s investigation uncovered that the shrimp product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, leading to the company being placed on an “import alert” that prevents its products from entering the U.S.

Consumer Guidance

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled shrimp products are advised to dispose of them or return them for a full refund. As of now, the FDA has not reported any illnesses associated with the contaminated shrimp.

For further inquiries, customers can reach out to AquaStar at 1-800-331-3440 during business hours.

Background Context

Food safety is a primary concern for both regulatory agencies and consumers. This incident highlights the importance of monitoring food products for chemical contamination. The expansion of this recall underscores the significance of thorough inspections and regulations to ensure consumer safety across all food products sold in the marketplace.

As this story develops, consumers are encouraged to stay informed about food recalls and to regularly check for updates from official channels regarding product safety. The responsibility of maintaining food safety lies with manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory bodies to prevent potentially harmful products from reaching consumers.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit Free Press
• Wikipedia: Cesium-137
• NBC Washington
• Google Search: Kroger shrimp recall
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• KING 5 News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Food safety
• AL.com
• Google News: Kroger shrimp recall