Kroger's Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp has been recalled over concerns of possible radioactive contamination.
Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp over concerns of possible radioactive contamination.
AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers has been recalled over concerns of possible radioactive contamination.

More than 85,000 bags of shrimp sold at Kroger-owned grocery stores around the United States are being recalled, adding to the growing list of products flagged over possible radioactive contamination.

AquaStar Corp of Seattle issued a recall for 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 "because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions" and "may have become contaminated with cesium-137," according to a notice on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website Sept. 21.

Cesium-137 is a radioactive chemical "produced by nuclear fission for use in medical devices and gauges," according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The recall notice said trace amounts of cesium-137 are widespread in the environment, but repeated exposure to food or water contaminated with the substance can lead to increased cancer risk.

The recall comes weeks after Walmart and Southwind Foods of Carson, California issued recalls for shrimp packets over similar concerns.

Here's what to know about the latest recall.

Where were the shrimp sold?

The shrimp packages were sold at Kroger-owned stores, including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foodsco, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay Less Supermarkets, Pick ‘n Save, Ralphs, Smith’s and QFC between June 12 and Sept. 17 of this year in the following states:

  • Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Which shrimp packets are being recalled?

The recall includes two-pound packets of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp, packaged in a transparent printed bag with a blue band on the top and yellow and red details. The recall includes items with the following codes:

  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5085 10, Best If Used By: 03-26-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5097 11, Best If Used By: 04-07-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5106 11, Best If Used By: 04-6-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5107 10, Best If Used By: 04-17-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5111 11, Best If Used By: 04-21-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5112 10, Best If Used By: 04-22-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5113 10, Best If Used By: 04-23-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5113 11, Best If Used By: 04-23-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5114 10, Best If Used By: 04-24-27
  • UPC 20011110643906, lot code 10662 5114 11, Best If Used By: 04-24-27

The recall also includes two-pound bags of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp, packaged in clear plastic bag with a white label with green stripes on top of each bag, with the following codes:

  • UPC 011110626196, lot code 10662 5112 11, Best Before: 10-22-2027
  • UPC 011110626196, lot code 10662 5113 10, Best Before: 10-23-2027

It also includes AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers, weighing 1.25 pounds and packaged in a printed bag with a black top and blue bottom and printed pictures of the skewers inside, with the following codes:

  • UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5127 10, Best If Used By: 11-07-2027
  • UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5128 11, Best If Used By: 11-08-2027
  • UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5133 11, Best If Used By: 11 13-2027
  • UPC 731149390010, lot code 10662 5135 10, Best If Used By: 11-15-2027

While no illnesses have been reported so far, FDA said it is "actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia."

The food authority said in August "no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce."

PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati placed under an import alert

PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has also been placed on an import alert for chemical contamination, which prevents any of the company's food products from entering the United States until it resolves any conditions that could have caused the exposure.

The FDA is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the cause of the contamination, USA TODAY previously reported.

What to do if you have recalled shrimp

If you purchased one of the affected shrimp packages, throw it away and do not eat or serve it, the FDA notice said. Customers may also return it to the place of purchases for a full refund.

Customers can also contact the company at 1-800-331-3440 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday if they have any questions.

Anybody who fears they may have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium should immediately contact their medical providers. To submit a complaint or report an adverse reaction, consumers can visit the FDA's Industry and Consumer Assistance portal.

What is Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and why is it regulated?

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium, meaning it is a chemical element that emits radiation as it breaks down. It is man made and produced by nuclear fission, according to the FDA. In the United States, it is used in medical devices and measurement gauges, such as industrial devices that measure the thickness of materials.

"It is also one of the byproducts of nuclear fission processes in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons testing," the EPA states.

Because it is widespread around the globe, trace amounts can be found in the environment, including in soil, food and air, the FDA said. Agencies, including the FDA and U.S. Customs & Border Protection, test for, monitor and regulate the presence of the substance due to the risks associated with long-term exposure.

Low-level radiation exposure over time can lead to serious health complications, the FDA said. Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death. As a result, the governing agencies restrict potential exposure to lessen the possibility of these long-term impacts.

Contributing: Julia Gomez, Mary Walrath-Holdridge USA TODAY

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Over 85,000 bags of shrimp recalled. See impacted items.

Reporting by Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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