First Street Shrimp Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Southwind Foods announced a voluntary recall of frozen raw First Street shrimp on August 21, 2025. FDA posted the announcement that day. The company expanded the recall on August 29, 2025 and again on September 23, 2025. The recall covers First Street’s 16/20, 2-pound bag with UPC 041512179471 and lot code 130632, over possible cesium-137 contamination. Southwind’s announcement names an elevated risk of cancer after repeated low-dose exposure as the main health concern. Do not eat the shrimp. Dispose of it, or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Southwind’s announcements report no illnesses so far, and FDA says its investigation is ongoing.

Latest First Street Shrimp Recall Updates

October 7, 2025: FDA Updates Its Advisory

FDA updated the advisory on frozen shrimp from the Indonesian processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati on October 7, 2025 [1]. The change was to the section on products and stores affected. It says FDA will post all recalls tied to this incident from now on. They go on its 2025 page for frozen shrimp products associated with Cs-137 contamination. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

September 23, 2025: Southwind Foods Expands the Recall

Southwind Foods expanded its recall on September 23, 2025. FDA posted the updated release the same day [2]. The release still lists First Street among the brands. It says the bagged frozen shrimp was distributed between June 24 and September 16, 2025. Retailers, distributors and wholesalers in 34 states received it. That is wider than the nine states named in the first notice.

September 2, 2025: Defense Commissary Agency Publishes Expanded List

The Defense Commissary Agency published a Department of Defense message on September 2, 2025 [3]. The message expands the Southwind Foods list of recalled shrimp UPCs and lot codes. It adds the First Street 16/20 frozen raw shrimp in the 2-pound bag, UPC 041512179471. The lot code is 18703, and the best by date is June 6, 2027. The message says the list also includes additional vendors.

August 29, 2025: Southwind Foods Posts an Updated Release

Southwind Foods posted an updated release on August 29, 2025, and FDA published it the same day [4]. FDA’s recall table marks the update as an expanded recall. The release keeps the same nine states and the same July 17 to August 8, 2025 distribution window as the first notice. FDA’s table lists five brands on that row, and First Street is one of them.

August 21, 2025: Southwind Foods Announces the Recall

Southwind’s announcement on August 21, 2025 was the first recall notice [5]. It covers frozen shrimp sold under five brands, including First Street. The reason was possible cesium-137 contamination, and the recall is voluntary. FDA posted the notice that same day. The notice says the shrimp was distributed between July 17 and August 8, 2025, to retailers, distributors and wholesalers in nine states.

August 19, 2025: FDA Reports Cs-137 at Four Ports

FDA’s advisory on frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted FDA to Cs-137 in shipping containers at four ports. They were Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami. FDA collected samples, and the results confirmed Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp. FDA denied entry to all containers and to all product that alerted or tested positive.

What Is Cesium-137?

Cesium-137, also called Cs-137, is a radioactive form of the element cesium, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [6]. ATSDR says nuclear explosions or the breakdown of uranium in fuel elements can produce it. Southwind’s announcement, which FDA posted, describes Cs-137 as a man-made radioisotope of cesium. It says traces are widespread and can be present in the environment at background levels.

Which First Street Shrimp Are Affected?

First Street frozen raw shrimp in a 2-pound bag is affected. The notices list these identifiers:

• Product: First Street Frozen Raw Shrimp, 16/20, 2-pound bag
• UPC: 041512179471
• Lot code: 130632
• Lot code: 18703, best by June 6, 2027

Compare the UPC and lot code on your bag with this list. Lot code 18703 comes from the Defense Commissary Agency message. Southwind Foods says it sold the recalled shrimp to retailers, distributors and wholesalers. The notices do not name the stores. The first notice listed Alabama, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The September 23 release names more states, so check it for the full list.

Why Was First Street Shrimp Recalled?

First Street shrimp was recalled because of possible radionuclide contamination with cesium-137. Southwind Foods gave this reason in its announcement of the recall. FDA is actively investigating reports of Cs-137 contamination in shipping containers and in frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati. The Indonesian firm does business as BMS Foods. FDA determined that product from that firm appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions. It may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern. That is FDA’s finding about the firm’s product in general. FDA’s recall page lists the Southwind recall among the recalls associated with that firm [7].

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

Each Southwind notice says no illnesses have been reported to date. The notices call the recall a limited quantity of frozen shrimp and give no count of affected units. Southwind’s announcement, which FDA posted, says the primary health effect of concern after longer term, repeated low-dose exposure is an elevated risk of cancer. It says the risk comes from damage to DNA within living cells. ATSDR’s cesium fact sheet, last reviewed October 25, 2011, says there are no human studies that specifically associate exposure to radioactive cesium with increased cancer risk. FDA says consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care. FDA also points consumers to its Industry and Consumer Assistance page for complaints and adverse events.

What Should Consumers Do?

Take these steps if you have frozen shrimp that may be part of this recall:

1. Check your bag against the UPC and lot codes listed above.
2. Do not eat the recalled frozen shrimp.
3. Dispose of the shrimp, or return it to where you bought it for a full refund.
4. Call Southwind Foods at 1-323-262-8222 with questions. Staff answer Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm Pacific Time.
5. If you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium, talk to your healthcare provider.
6. To report a complaint or adverse event, visit FDA’s Industry and Consumer Assistance page. You can also call FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).

Other Recalls, Warnings, or International Actions

The same Southwind Foods recall also lists the Sand Bar and Great American brands, plus Arctic Shores and Best Yet. Separate recalls over possible Cs-137 contamination include AquaStar (USA) Corp’s Kroger Mercado frozen cooked shrimp, announced August 27, 2025 [8]. Lawrence Wholesale LLC recalled Kroger bagged frozen shrimp on September 23, 2025 [9]. Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC recalled Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold at select Walmart stores, according to FDA’s advisory. That is a separate recall from Southwind’s.

Legal Options

A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Our shrimp recall lawsuit page covers the wider recalls. A proposed class action, Young v. Southwind Foods, LLC, No. 5:25-cv-02538, was filed on September 25, 2025 in the Central District of California [10]. The Young docket does not mention First Street shrimp. A notice of dismissal as to Southwind Foods was filed on November 7, 2025. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation‘s pending MDL report shows no MDL has been formed for the recalled shrimp as of March 2, 2026 [11].

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Health Risks from Cs-137 in Shrimp?

Health risks from Cs-137 could arise with continued exposure over a long period, FDA says. In one detained shipment that is not a First Street product, FDA detected about 68 Bq/kg, below its 1200 Bq/kg Derived Intervention Level, so the shipment would not pose an acute hazard.

Is It Safe If I Already Ate the Recalled Shrimp?

If you already ate the recalled shrimp, Southwind’s announcements report no illnesses to date. FDA says anyone who suspects exposure to elevated levels of cesium should talk to a healthcare provider. ATSDR says the effects depend on the dose and duration of exposure.

What Is FDA Import Alert 99-51?

FDA import alert 99-51 covers chemical contamination and was posted on August 14, 2025. FDA added PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to its red list because of Cs-137. The alert keeps implicated shrimp products out of U.S. commerce until the company resolves the conditions behind the apparent violation.

Has Product That Tested Positive for Cs-137 Entered the U.S. Marketplace?

FDA says no product that tested positive or alerted for cesium has entered the U.S. marketplace. FDA is working with distributors and retailers that received product from the Indonesian processor, from shipments that did not alert, to recommend that they conduct a recall.

Which Other States Received the Recalled Shrimp?

Other states that received the recalled shrimp, per the September 23 release, are Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Are the Kroger and Great Value Shrimp Recalls Part of the Southwind Recall?

The Kroger and Great Value shrimp recalls are not part of the Southwind recall. FDA posted the AquaStar notice on August 28, 2025. Beaver Street Fisheries, based in Jacksonville, Florida, recalled Great Value shrimp on August 22, 2025.

References

1. https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-public-not-eat-sell-or-serve-certain-imported-frozen-shrimp-indonesian-firm
2. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-release-southwind-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk-0
3. https://corp.commissaries.com/our-agency/newsroom/news-releases/southwind-foods-llc-expands-recall-frozen-shrimp-due-possible
4. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/updated-release-southwind-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
5. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/southwind-foods-llc-recalls-frozen-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
6. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=576&toxid=107
7. https://www.fda.gov/safety/major-product-recalls/2025-recalls-frozen-shrimp-products-associated-cesium-137-contamination-pt-bahari-makmur-sejati-due
8. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/aquastar-usa-corp-recalls-kroger-mercado-frozen-cooked-shrimp-because-possible-health-risk
9. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lawrence-wholesale-llc-recalls-kroger-bagged-frozen-shrimp-and-kroger-frozen-shrimp-products-because
10. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71458146/derrick-young-v-southwind-foods-llc/
11. https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-March-2-2026.pdf