Radioactive shrimp shipments from Indonesia trigger recalls
U.S. food and nuclear safety officials are investigating a radioactive contamination incident linked to frozen shrimp imported from Indonesia, after traces of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, were detected in multiple shipping containers and product samples.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Friday that Cesium-137 was found at an industrial site in Serang, Indonesia, which houses a metal processing facility and a seafood exporter. Investigators believe contaminated metal at the site may have caused the shrimp contamination.
The affected exporter, PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, or BMS Foods, has recalled more than 300 containers of shrimp already en route to the U.S. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected Cesium-137 in shrimp shipments sent to ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Savannah. While no contaminated shrimp has entered the consumer market, products from BMS Foods have been recalled from Walmart, Kroger and other retailers.
The FDA said the detected radioactivity level is well below the regulatory threshold of 1,200 becquerels, but still represents a potential health concern with long-term exposure.
U.S. nuclear emergency teams have been deployed to assess and contain the contamination. An FDA import alert has been issued to block further shrimp shipments from BMS Foods.
Read more: AP News
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