Saving Seafood

Indonesia clears contamination at shrimp plant, reaches deal with FDA to resume US imports

October 21, 2025 — Indonesian officials said they have reached a deal with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that will allow containers of shrimp from the country to enter the U.S. following a prolonged stretch of recalls.

Indonesian shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati began being recalled in August after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detected traces of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive material, in a container containing shrimp from the company. That recall expanded later that same month, affecting major U.S. retailers like Walmart and Kroger and leading to an import alert for frozen breaded shrimp from Indonesia.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

A deep dive into seafood safety amid a government shutdown

October 3, 2025 — On the heels of back-to-back radioactive shrimp recalls, and in the midst of a federal government shutdown. Seafood safety is a question for many who enjoy flavors from the coast.

There are multiple federal agencies, including the FDA, USDA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Customs and Border Protection, to inspect various imports and domestic products, like the hundreds of thousands of recalled shrimp from Indonesia over the past two months.

But one organization stands out, the National Marine Fisheries Service, under the U-S Department of Commerce.

Read the full article at WCTI 12

Nutrition expert calls for update to US FDA guidelines on seafood consumption

September 25, 2025 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) current guidance on seafood consumption during and before pregnancy – and for young children – highlights the importance of omega-3s, but according to nutrition expert Maya Maroto, it is still focusing more on the fear than the facts.

The U.S. FDA recommends eating seafood during pregnancy and while breastfeeding as a means of supporting a child’s brain development. The agency has created a chart which showcases seafood but also leads with the importance of “choosing a variety of fish that are lower in mercury.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

More potentially radioactive frozen shrimp recalled. See list.

September 8, 2025 — The Food and Drug Administration announced another recall for shrimp due to possible radioactive contamination.

In August, the FDA announced four recalls (one of which was updated on Friday, Aug. 29, to include best-by dates) for frozen shrimp due to potential radionuclide (Cesium-137) contamination. Cesium-137, also known as Cs-137, is a man-made radioactive isotope that can lead to an elevated risk of cancer if ingested, the FDA states.

Various brands of frozen shrimp sold throughout the country voluntarily issued the recalls. As of Friday, Sept. 4, no illnesses had been reported in conjunction with the recalls.

Read the full article at USA TODAY

String of frozen shrimp recalls related to radioactive material may be linked to Indonesia industrial site

September 8, 2025 — Astring of frozen shrimp recalls related to the discovery of radioactive material may be connected to an industrial site in Indonesia, the Associated Press reported.

Multiple U.S. companies have issued recalls for frozen shrimp due to possible contamination with Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a man-made radioisotope. Companies began issuing recall advisories in late August, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) followed it up with a voluntary recall after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detected Cs-137 in multiple shipping containers at the ports of Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

FDA investigation finds over 30 percent of frozen seafood import samples short-weighted

September 5, 2025 — A recently released report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found 36 percent of frozen seafood products it tested were short-weighted.

The FDA said it conducted an assessment from 2022 to 2024 to collect and test a range of frozen raw and seafood products for the practice of short-weighting – or indicating a higher net weight of seafood on the package than is actually contained. Short-weighting typically involves seafood companies adding a thicker water glaze to products that results in a higher water weight than legally allowed.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US Health Secretary Kennedy says government has increased inspections over radioactive shrimp

August 28, 2025 — United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has weighed in on the discovery of a radioactive isotope in a shipment of foreign frozen shrimp, claiming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded by conducting more inspections.

“We have now increased FDA inspections of shrimp to make sure that Americans are not buying and eating contaminated shrimp and putting our shrimpers out of business,” Kennedy said in a 26 August cabinet meeting.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Jacksonville seafood company recalls frozen raw shrimp over possible radioactive contamination

August 26, 2025 — A Jacksonville seafood company voluntarily recalled a frozen raw shrimp product over possible radioactive contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Beaver Street Fisheries, located on W Beaver Street, announced on Friday that it would recall a limited quantity of Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp EZ-Peel & Deveined Tail-On 21-25 per pounds as a precautionary measure recommended by the FDA regarding possible Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination.

According to the FDA, Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive form of cesium that can be present in the environment at background levels, and at higher levels in water or foods grown, raised, or produced in areas with environmental contamination.

Read the full article at News4Jax

Radioactive shrimp update: Walmart store brand and 5 other brands recalled

August 25, 2025 —  Days after the FDA issued a do-not-eat warning about imported shrimp sold at Walmart, a Florida company actually issued a recall of that shrimp and a California company recalled shrimp sold under five other brands.

So, if you have shrimp in your freezer or thawing in your refrigerator, check to make sure it’s not from Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, First Street, Great American Seafood Imports or Walmart’s Great Value brand.

This all concerns worries that the shrimp might be contaminated Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a man-made radioactive isotope. Breaded and frozen shrimp from Indonesia’s PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, which does business as BMS Foods, tested positive from Cs-137, although the FDA said at a “level that would not pose an acute hazard to consumers.”

Read the full article at Miami Herald