Radioactive Shrimp Lawsuits: Cancer Risk Concerns, Impacted Brands, and Legal Rights of Consumers

What Consumers Need To Know About Cesium‑137 Contamination And How Injured Individuals May Pursue Compensation

A Large Recall Of Frozen Shrimp Products Has Drawn National Attention After Testing Revealed Possible Contamination With Cesium‑137, A Radioactive Substance Associated With An Increased Risk Of Cancer After Repeated Low‑Dose Exposure. More Than 83,000 Bags Of Frozen Raw Shrimp Have Now Been Recalled By Direct Source Seafood, With Prior Related Recalls Issued By Multiple Major Seafood Distributors. Impacted Brands Reached Consumers Through Prominent U.S. Grocery Chains, Including Walmart, Price Chopper/Market 32, Safeway, Jewel‑Osco, Albertsons, Kroger‑Affiliated Retailers, And Others.

The Products In This Recall Were Manufactured By PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods) Of Indonesia, And Is Distributed Nationwide Across Numerous Retailers Under Multiple Brand Labels. While No Illnesses Have Yet Been Reported, Regulators Warn That The Primary Risk Relates To Chronic Ingestion Of Radioactive Material Rather Than Immediate Foodborne Illness. That Risk Is Particularly Concerning For Families Who Routinely Purchase Frozen Shrimp As A Household Staple And May Have Consumed Recalled Products Over Extended Periods.

Consumers Who Purchased Or Ate Recalled Shrimp Are Left Facing Uncertainty: Potential Medical Monitoring, Fear Of Long‑Term Effects, Confusion About Product Labels, And Frustration That Unsafe Food Entered The Marketplace. When Companies Prepare Or Distribute Food Products “Under Insanitary Conditions,” They May Face Liability For Exposure‑Related Harm And Financial Losses. For Households That Relied On Recalled Shrimp Products, Understanding The Scope Of The Recall, The Nature Of The Contamination, And The Legal Options Available Is Critical.

If You Suspect Exposure To Radioactive Shrimp, Keep The Product Packaging When Possible, Do Not Consume The Product, And Follow Recall Return Instructions. Individuals Who Develop Health Issues After Prolonged Exposure May Also Consider Discussing Their Rights With A Product‑Injury Law Firm.

What Products Are Included In The Radioactive Shrimp Recall?

The Current Recall Includes Frozen, Raw, Shell‑On “Easy‑Peel” Shrimp Products, Primarily Sold In One‑Pound Bags Under The Following Brands And Retail Chains:

• Market 32 / Price Chopper Brand Shrimp, Sold In New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, And Connecticut.
• Waterfront Bistro Brand Shrimp, Which Is Sold Through Albertsons, Safeway, And Jewel‑Osco In Western States.
• Great Value Shrimp At Walmart (Earlier Recall).
• Kroger Mercado Shrimp And Related Kroger Family Banners.
• Southwind Foods Shrimp Across Multiple States.
• Aquastar-Branded Shrimp And Walmart Cocktail Shrimp Products.

Affected Lots Include Best By Dates From April 22 Through April 27, 2027, As Noted In FDA Guidance. Many Bags May Still Be In Home Freezers Today.

Regulators Determined That The Products Were Prepared, Packed, Or Held Under Conditions That May Have Introduced Cesium‑137 Contamination, Triggering Federal Recall Obligations. The Contamination Risk Stems Not From Spoilage, But From Radioactive Isotope Exposure Linked To Environmental Contamination During Production Or Processing.

Consumers Should Not Rely Solely On Store Shelf Notices, As Many Recalled Shrimp Packages Were Purchased Months Earlier. Checking Stored Frozen Foods Is Essential, And Families Should Review Lot Codes And Best‑By Dates Carefully.

Understanding Cesium‑137 Contamination And Health Risks

Cesium‑137 Is A Radioactive Isotope Produced During Nuclear Fission. It Does Not Naturally Occur In Significant Quantities And Is Considered A Hazardous Radiological Contaminant When Ingested Over Time. Unlike Typical Foodborne Contaminants Such As Bacteria, Cesium‑137 Risk Comes From Internal Radiation Exposure After Consuming Contaminated Foods.

Health Agencies Caution That:

• Short‑Term Consumption Typically Produces No Immediate Symptom, Leading Consumers To Unknowingly Continue Eating Contaminated Food.
• Chronic Or Repeated Ingestion May Increase Lifetime Cancer Risk.
• Radiation Exposure Risk Is Heightened For Children And Pregnant Individuals.
• Radionuclides Can Deposit In Soft Tissues And Muscle.
• Ingestion Exposure Is Different From Simple Contact Exposure.

The Most Significant Health Concern Associated With Cesium‑137 Is An Elevated Risk Of Cancer Following Repeated Low‑Dose Exposure. Because Frozen Shrimp Is Frequently Consumed Over Weeks Or Months, Families May Have Unknowingly Faced Sustained Exposure.

Consumers With Underlying Immunocompromising Conditions, Thyroid Conditions, Or Prior Radiation Exposure May Have Particular Concerns And Often Require Individualized Medical Assessment.

Where Contaminated Shrimp Was Sold And Who May Be Affected

The Recall Reaches Across Many States And National Chains, Which Means Exposure Is Not Localized To A Single Region. Impacted Shrimp Products Were Distributed In:

• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Minnesota
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• And Additional Kroger‑Affiliated States.

Products Were Marketed Under Familiar Supermarket Brands, Which Increases The Likelihood That Ordinary Families Purchased These Items, Trusting Store‑Brand Safety.

Consumers Most Likely Impacted Include:

• Households That Buy Shrimp In Bulk And Freeze Them.
• Families Relying On Budget Store‑Brand Seafood.
• Frequent Seafood Consumers.
• Individuals With High Seafood‑Based Diets.
• Restaurants Or Caterers Using Bagged Shrimp Products.

Anyone Who Consumed These Products May Face Anxiety, Medical Evaluation Costs, And Monitoring, Even If Immediate Symptoms Are Absent.

What Consumers Should Do If They Purchased Recalled Shrimp

Federal Guidance Directs Consumers To:

• Do Not Eat Or Serve Recalled Shrimp.
• Discard It Safely Or Return It To The Point Of Purchase.
• Keep Product Receipts Or Packaging If Possible.
• Consider Speaking With A Healthcare Provider About Potential Exposure, Especially After Repeated Consumption.
• Document Any Symptoms, Medical Visits, Or Concerns.

From A Legal Perspective, Consumers Should Retain Packaging Or Receipt Proof If Available, As These Documents Can Support Future Claims.

Those Who Believe They Experienced Health Effects May Also Consider:

• Medical Imaging Or Monitoring Recommended By Providers
• Documentation Of Cancer Diagnoses Or Radiation‑Related Conditions
• Household Records Showing The Frequency Of Shrimp Consumption

Even Without Present Illness, Future Medical Monitoring Claims May Be Available Under Certain State Laws Where Exposure To Toxic Or Radioactive Substances Occurred.

Potential Legal Claims Related To Radioactive Food Contamination

Food Companies Have A Legal Duty To Ensure That Products Offered For Sale Are Reasonably Safe For Human Consumption And Free Of Dangerous Contamination. When Radioactive Materials Enter Food Products, Legal Exposure May Extend Across Multiple Entities In The Supply Chain, Including:

• Manufacturers.
• Importers.
• Distributors.
• Retailers.
• Seafood Processors.

Possible Legal Claims May Include:

• Contamination And Adulterated Food Production.
• Failure To Maintain Sanitary Conditions.
• Failure To Test For Hazardous Contamination.
• Failure To Warn Consumers Promptly.
• Economic Loss From Unsafe Purchases.
• Pain, Suffering, And Medical Expenses.
• Wrongful Death In Extreme Cases Associated With Radiation‑Related Cancers.

Compensation May Include Payment For:

• Medical Treatment And Monitoring.
• Lost Wages.
• Diminished Earning Capacity.
• Emotional Distress.
• Reimbursement For Recalled Product Losses.
• Long‑Term Care Is Associated With Radiation‑Related Disease.

Families Should Understand That The Cancer Risk Associated With Radioactive Ingestion Often Appears Years Later, Which Makes Early Documentation Critical.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Radioactive Shrimp Lawsuits

Is There A Risk If I Only Ate The Shrimp Once Or Twice?
Occasional Exposure Typically Carries A Much Lower Risk Than Repeated Long‑Term Consumption. Cesium‑137 Concerns Primarily Arise When Contaminated Food Is Eaten Frequently Over Time. However, Medical Questions Should Always Be Discussed With A Healthcare Provider Familiar With Radiation Exposure.

Can Cesium‑137 Be Removed By Washing Or Cooking Shrimp?
No. Cesium‑137 Contamination Is Internal To The Product And Cannot Be Removed Through Rinsing, Freezing, Or Cooking. Heating Does Not Neutralize Radioactive Isotopes. If The Product Is Recalled, It Should Not Be Eaten Under Any Circumstances.

What Symptoms Should I Look For After Exposure?
Low‑Dose Radiation Ingestion Does Not Typically Cause Immediate Symptoms. This Is Why It Is Dangerous — People May Not Realize Exposure Has Occurred. Long‑Term Effects May Include Increased Cancer Risk. Any Unusual Health Changes Should Be Evaluated By A Medical Professional.

Should Children Be Evaluated If They Ate Recalled Shrimp?
Children Are More Biologically Sensitive To Radiation Exposure. Parents May Wish To Discuss Testing Or Monitoring Options With Pediatricians If Repeated Consumption Occurred.

How Do I Know If The Shrimp In My Freezer Is Part Of The Recall?
Check The Brand Name, Best‑By Date, And Store Of Purchase. If Uncertain, Consumers Should Err On The Side Of Caution And Avoid Consumption. Retailers Can Also Verify Affected Lot Numbers.

Can I Get My Money Back For Recalled Shrimp?
Yes. Retailers Are Offering Refunds For Affected Products. Keep Your Receipt When Possible, Although Many Stores Process Refunds Even Without One.

Do I Need To Prove Cancer To Bring A Claim?
Not Always. Depending On State Law, Claims May Involve Economic Loss, Emotional Harm, Or Medical Monitoring After Toxic Exposure. A Product Injury Attorney Can Evaluate Available Options.

Has Anyone Become Sick Yet?
No Illnesses Have Been Formally Reported So Far. That Does Not Eliminate Risk, Because Radiation Injuries Often Develop Over Longer Periods.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If You Or Your Family May Have Eaten Recalled Radioactive Shrimp Or Developed Health Concerns After Repeated Seafood Consumption, You May Have Legal Options. Parker Waichman LLP Is A National Product‑Injury Law Firm Investigating Claims Involving Radioactive Food Contamination And Cancer Risk. Our Firm Assists Consumers Seeking Compensation For Medical Care, Monitoring, And Financial Losses Linked To Contaminated Food Products.

There Are No Upfront Legal Fees, And You Pay Nothing Unless Compensation Is Recovered. Regardless Of Your Location Or Where Your Injury Occurred, Our Nationwide Product Injury Law Firm Is Ready To Assist You. Call 1‑800‑YOUR‑LAWYER (1‑800‑968‑7529) For A Free Consultation Today.