Nearly 84,000 bags of frozen shrimp have been yanked from store shelves after testing revealed potential contamination with a radioactive isotope. The nationwide recall affects products sold across 16 states at several major grocery chains.
Direct Source Seafood LLC has recalled 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp that may be contaminated with cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, according to a recent advisory from the Food and Drug Administration. The affected products, imported from Indonesia, were distributed under two brand names — Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro — and sold at retailers including Price Chopper, Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, and Lucky Supermarket.
No illnesses connected to the contaminated shrimp have been reported so far. But the potential presence of cesium-137, which the FDA describes as a “human-induced radioisotope of cesium,” has triggered the widespread recall as a precautionary measure.
What is cesium-137 and should consumers be worried?
Cesium-137 isn’t your everyday contaminant. While it occurs naturally in the environment at background levels, the FDA notes that higher concentrations can be found “in water or foods grown, raised, or produced in areas with environmental contamination.” The recall notice suggests the contamination may have occurred during processing, packing, or shipping of the Indonesian shrimp.
The company hasn’t disclosed how the contamination was discovered or at what levels the cesium-137 was detected. That said, the FDA’s involvement indicates enough concern to warrant removing the products from circulation immediately.
For consumers who may have purchased the affected shrimp, the guidance is straightforward: don’t eat it. The FDA advises customers to either throw the product away or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.
Concerned customers can also contact Direct Source Seafood’s customer service at 425-455-2291, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm PST, for additional information about the recall.
This isn’t the first time imported seafood has faced scrutiny over contamination concerns, though radioactive materials represent a less common threat than bacterial pathogens or chemical residues. The incident highlights the complex global supply chains that bring seafood from distant waters to American dinner tables — and the challenges in ensuring its safety along the way.
