The recall of frozen shrimp contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 has widened to include more products distributed under store-brands at major U.S. grocery chains such as Publix and Albertsons. The frozen raw “EZ-Peel” white shrimp packages, under brand names like Publix, Waterfront Bistro, Best Yet and AquaStar, were distributed through a network of retailers including Safeway, Shaw’s, and Albertsons.
According to the recall notifications, the products in question were imported from Indonesia via distributor AquaStar (USA) Corp, which issued the voluntary recall after internal testing revealed unexpected levels of cesium-137. While the detected radioactivity was reportedly below the U.S. safety action level, the food safety agencies warn that prolonged consumption could pose long-term health risks.
Consumers who purchased the affected shrimp are advised not to consume the product and to return it for a refund. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is coordinating with retailers to remove affected lots from shelves and is monitoring for additional shipments. Pet health, marine supply chains, and import regulation oversight have all come under renewed pressure as this recall deepens. The issue underscores vulnerabilities in global seafood sourcing, the rigour of import inspections, and how foreign supply-chain contamination can reach U.S. supermarket shelves.
Why It Matters
Consumer safety alert — Food contaminated with radioactive isotopes raises serious health‐risk implications, even if immediate illness isn’t reported.
Global supply-chain vulnerability — Imports from overseas may transit through complex supply or processing routes where contamination control is weaker.
Retail brand exposure — Store-brand products face reputation risk when underlying sourcing or manufacturing controls fail.
Regulatory oversight gap — The recall prompts questions about how quickly agencies detect and trace imported radioactive contamination.
Industry accountability — Seafood distributors and retailers must respond with transparency, recalls, and remediation to maintain trust.
Key Social Outcome
Heightened public concern about food safety
— The term “radioactive shrimp” has sparked fear and media visibility, drawing more attention from consumers to food-tracking and origin.
Increased consumer vigilance
— Shoppers may start more frequently checking lot codes, brand names, and sourcing details before purchasing frozen seafood.
Demand for stronger corporate transparency
— Customers expect retailers like Publix and Albertsons to explain how such contamination occurred and what steps they will take going forward.
Reinforced supply-chain accountability
— Community pressure may prompt grocers and distributors to disclose sourcing audits, processing facility certification, and import checks.
Social media activism around food recalls
— The recall is circulating widely on social platforms, encouraging users to share scan-photos of their products and drive collective awareness of recall impacts.
Source: Miami Herald
