Radioactive shrimp recall: Louisiana Senator warns eating these shrimps could 'turn you into alien'

Imagine savoring a delicious meal and then discovering that you’ve eaten something *radioactive*!

The scare is real!

It became more of a concern for people in the United States of America recently after Louisiana Senator John Kennedy wildly warned Americans that eating recalled shrimp might make someone “look like an alien” or even cause them to “grow an extra ear.”

The FDA has already issued a recall of frozen shrimp due to traces of radioactive Cesium-137, but experts stress that the levels found pose no immediate threat.

But what’s really going on? Read on to know more about which shrimp are affected, what the radiation levels mean, and how you can protect yourself.


What’s happened so far

Last month (August), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected radioactive cesium-137 (Cs-137) in a shipment of frozen shrimp imported from Indonesia and processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods). Although initial reports suggested no contaminated shrimp had entered stores, it was later confirmed that at least three batches of Walmart’s Great Value frozen shrimp had already been distributed across multiple states. These shrimp measured 68 becquerels per kilogram, well below the FDA’s safety threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg, yet still about 100 times above background levels typically found in seafood.


The recall expanded quickly to include other brands (like Arctic Shores, Sand Bar, Best Yet, First Street, Great American) and retailers, such as Kroger and AquaStar, covering tens of thousands of packages across nearly 18 states. In total, tens of thousands of packages were pulled or flagged for removal, and these products included both raw and cooked shrimp items, prompting broad advisory notices.

While health experts emphasize that a single exposure at these levels is unlikely to cause immediate illness, they warn that long-term exposure could increase the risk of DNA damage or cancer.


What Senator Kennedy said (and why it went viral)

During a dramatic Senate floor address, Senator Kennedy held up a poster of the alien from the 1979 film Alien, warning that imported shrimp could make people “grow an extra ear” or resemble the creature itself.

Kennedy derided the FDA and NOAA’s testing procedures, arguing that the low inspection rate for imported seafood, only 1-2% on a good day, is "unconscionable." He urged Americans to prefer Louisiana-grown shrimp, confidently claiming they’re “fresh out of the Gulf, not radioactive.”


While his hyperbolic style grabbed attention (and headlines), no public health agency has suggested that consuming the recalled shrimp will cause physical mutations like those described by the senator.


What the science actually says

Immediate danger is low: The Cs-137 levels found are significantly below the FDA’s threshold for action; a one-time exposure is not expected to cause harm.

Long-term exposure matters: Although individual ingestion may not be harmful, repeated consumption over time could potentially increase cancer risk by damaging DNA.

None of the contaminated shrimp entering commerce was higher than safety limits, but the FDA acted to prevent any exposure with future imports and placed BMS Foods under an import alert to halt pending reforms.



What you should do

Check your freezer for brands like Great Value, Arctic Shores, Sand Bar, Best Yet, First Street, Great American, Kroger Mercado, and AquaStar shrimp – all of them are tied to the recalled lots.

Discard or return any packages that match the recall description (especially with lot codes or shipping dates from July-August 2025) to eliminate exposure risk.

Stay informed: Visit FDA websites or contact retailers for updates. The recall lists and guidelines may expand over time.

Consult your doctor if you have consumed large amounts of shrimp from affected brands, especially if you’re concerned about long-term exposure.