Price Chopper customers find radioactive shrimp in freezer, here’s exactly which packages to throw out immediately

Price Chopper customers need to check their freezers immediately. The FDA has expanded a major recall of frozen shrimp over potential Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive contamination, affecting products sold across six Northeast states since July 11, 2025. With no illnesses reported to date, the company urges affected customers to dispose of or return the contaminated products for full refunds.

What You Need to Know About This Price Chopper Recall

Direct Source Seafood LLC announced the voluntary recall on December 19, 2025, affecting Market 32 brand frozen raw shrimp sold exclusively at Price Chopper locations. The 1-pound bags carry UPC code 041735013583 and were distributed across six Northeast states following routine contamination testing.

The contamination concern centers on potential exposure to Cesium-137, a man-made radioactive isotope produced during nuclear fission. Although trace amounts exist naturally in the environment, the FDA classifies concentrated exposure as a serious public health concern requiring immediate intervention and investigation.

Understanding Cesium-137 and Health Risks

Cesium-137 represents a significant regulatory concern because long-term, repeated low-dose exposure carries elevated cancer risk, according to FDA health assessments. The radioisotope damages DNA within living cells, potentially causing acute radiation sickness, burns, and serious cellular mutations over extended consumption periods.

The FDA actively monitors and regulates Cs-137 presence in imported foods through U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening. The contaminated shrimp originated from an Indonesian manufacturing facility that PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati operates, prompting import restrictions until the contamination source is resolved and production conditions are verified as safe.

Product Detail	Specification
Brand	Market 32 (Price Chopper house brand)
Product Size	1-pound bags
UPC Code	0 41735 01358 3
Best-By Dates	04/22/27, 04/23/27, 04/24/27, 04/26/27, 04/27/27
Sale Period	After July 11, 2025
Affected States	CT, MA, NH, NY, PA, VT

How the Contamination Was Discovered and What Happened

The contamination investigation began when routine testing detected Cesium-137 in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products manufactured by the Indonesian facility. The FDA initiated its initial recall notice on August 19, 2025, warning that certain raw frozen shrimp products tested positive for the radioactive isotope.

As investigations expanded, multiple manufacturers including Direct Source Seafood LLC identified additional affected inventory. The company announced the latest expansion on December 19, 2025, affecting approximately 83,800 bags total distributed across various retail chains. Despite extensive distribution, the FDA reported zero illnesses as of the recall announcement, suggesting limited actual consumption of contaminated products.

Affected Retailers and Geographic Distribution

Price Chopper customers in six Northeast states should immediately check their freezers for recalled Market 32 frozen raw shrimp. The recalled 1-pound bags were sold at Price Chopper locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont following the July 11, 2025 distribution date.

A larger recall also affects Waterfront Bistro-branded shrimp sold at Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, Safeway, Lucky, and Supermarket stores across 11 Western and Midwestern states. However, Price Chopper customers specifically need to focus on the Market 32 brand with the specified UPC code and best-by dates listed in the recall notice.

What Price Chopper Customers Should Do Immediately

Do not consume the affected shrimp. The FDA explicitly advises customers to dispose of the product or return it to their local Price Chopper store for a full refund without questions. No restocking fees apply, and retailers must accept returns of any affected frozen shrimp products purchased within the sale period.

“Consumers who have purchased affected shrimp should not consume the product and should dispose of or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

— FDA Official Statement, December 19, 2025

Customers with questions can contact Direct Source Seafood LLC at 425-455-2291, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST. Additionally, anyone who suspects exposure to elevated Cesium-137 levels should consult their medical provider immediately.

Sources

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Official recall announcement and product contamination details
• USA Today – Expanded recall coverage and state-by-state distribution information
• Direct Source Seafood LLC – Company recall statement and customer contact information