Alabamians Urged To Eat Gulf Coast Shrimp Over Potentially Radioactive Indonesian Shrimp

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Office of Radiation Control has been made aware of more reports of imported goods contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (Cs-137), specifically shrimp. ADPH is actively tracking this incident to minimize any impacts to public health, the economy, and the environment. At this time, no product that has tested positive for Cs-137 has entered the U.S. marketplace or food supply chain.

Other than shrimp, no reports of other food products with radioactive contamination have been received. Please note that the level of contamination detected in detained shipments would not pose an acute health hazard to the public

In August of this year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered that several international food shipping containers from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, an Indonesian company that does business as BMS Foods, contained unusually elevated levels of Cesium – 137. With Cesium – 137 being a radioactive isotope of almost purely synthetic origins that didn’t even exist in the environment prior to 1945, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection immediately detained the international food shipping containers to prevent their entry into the American food supply.

Nevertheless, since it is best to err on the side of caution, several companies are recalling their imported shrimp from Indonesia with the latest recall being issued on September 23rd, 2025 by AquaStar (USA) Corp. of Seattle, WA. As they are recalling 8,000 bags of AquaStar Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers. Already on September 19th, AquaStar recalled 49,920 bags of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, 18,000 bags of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, and 17,264 bags of AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers. Additionally, on August 28th, 2025, AquaStar recalled 26, 460 packages of their 6 ounce Cocktail Shrimp.

Southwind Foods, LLC of Carson, California is also voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of their frozen shrimp. And Lawrence Wholesale LLC, also of California, is recalling a limited quantity of Kroger bagged frozen shrimp and Kroger frozen shrimp products. Additionally, Wal-Mart is recalling some of their Great Value frozen shrimp that stem from Indonesia.

While thus far no illnesses have been reported that pertain to Cesium – 137 contamination, the FDA and the Alabama Department of Public Health are urging people who have purchased any of the potentially radioactive shrimp, to not eat them. The message is loud and clear, do not consume the potentially contaminated shrimp. If such shrimp is in one’s refrigerator, either toss it in the trash can or return it to the store for a full refund.

For Cesium – 137 is a radioactive isotope of Caesium that is produced during nuclear fission. First discovered by Glenn T. Seaborg and Margaret Melhase, its presence in the human body poses a number of health risks such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. In fact, a 2003 study of children in Belarus near Chernobyl, found that the children from that region suffered from chronic diseases rarely found in children in other parts of landlocked eastern European country.

If one must satisfy their craving for the crustaceans, to avoid the potentially radioactive Indonesian shrimp, it is recommended that one look for U.S. wild-caught or responsibly farmed shrimp that are independently certified by reputable organizations like The Seafood Watch. It is best to avoid raw shrimp as the FDA recommends frozen shrimp to kill the parasites. In Alabama, Alabama Gulf Coast shrimp is considered safe to eat. However, consumers need to be wary of restaurants that advertise imported shrimp as Alabama Gulf Coast shrimp.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa Attorney, vocalist, and piano instructor.