FDA Issues Warning For Indonesian Shrimp After One Shipment Tests Positive for Cesium (Cs-137)

FDA is actively investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) alerted FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports (Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami). FDA collected multiple samples for radionuclide analysis, with results confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp. All containers and product testing positive or alerting for Cs-137 have been denied entry into the country. 

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions and because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air. FDA food monitoring focuses on radioisotopes (radionuclides) that are not normally present and are generally the result of human activities. Any unexpected finding of Cs-137 in a food product is evaluated to determine if follow up action is warranted on a case-by-case basis. After being alerted to the contamination of shipping containers detected by CBP, FDA initiated sampling of products which included five different shrimp products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, one of which was a sample of frozen breaded shrimp. FDA's laboratory confirmation of Cs-137 in the breaded shrimp had detectable levels of Cs-137 present at 68.48 Bq/kg +/- 8.25 Bq/kg. There was no detectable Cs-137 in the other products tested; however, this does not rule out contamination.

This single shipment of imported frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati where Cs-137 was detected  did not enter U.S. commerce.   Although testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product in commerce, the product posted on the Warning appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern. To date, FDA has learned that Walmart has received implicated raw frozen shrimp, imported after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by CBP, but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137. FDA has recommended Walmart recall this product.

Consumers should not eat or serve certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart stores in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, and WV:


https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-public-not-eat-sell-or-serve-certain-imported-frozen-shrimp-indonesian-firm
FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm
Frozen shrimp imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Ohio Firm Recalls Cheese Product After Product Tests Positive for Listeria

The Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op facility in Middlefield, OH is recalling 246.5 Lbs. of 100% Grass-fed Pepper Jack Cheese, sold in 8 oz. packages, 5 lb. loaves and 40 lb. loaves, 2.5 Lbs. of Horseradish Flavored Cheese, sold in 8 oz. packages, 640 Lbs. of Monterey Jack Cheese sold in 8 oz. packages, 5 lb. loaves and 40 lb. loaves, and 4,544.5 Lbs. of White Cheddar Cheese sold in 40 Lb. loaves because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

The recall was initiated after product testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products. Production was suspended while the company investigated the source of the contamination which was determined to be from environmental contamination that migrated to food-contact areas of the production process.

The recalled products were produced on June 16, 2025, June 24, 2025, and July 16th, and distributed in the state of Ohio between July 14, 2025 and August 7, 2025.  There have been no reports of illness to date associated with consumption of these products.

So did an environmental positive test trigger the company to test product?  

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/middlefield-original-cheese-co-op-recalls-100-grass-fed-pepper-jack-cheese-and-horseradish-flavored
Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op Recalls 100% Grass-Fed Pepper Jack Cheese and Horseradish Flavored Cheese Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op
Brand Name:  Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op/Copia Collective/Farmers Cheese
Product Description:  Cheese

NY Firm Recalls Imported Brie Due to Potential for Listeria

FROMI USA of New York, NY is recalling 12 Cases of Brie Royal Faucon 1kg, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recall was initiated after the foreign manufacturer of this cheese was notified by its health authorities of the potential contamination of some of its products with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Brie Royal Faucon 1kg was distributed to Cheese Plate Park Slope LLC, located at 400 7th Avenue, 11215 Brooklyn NY. The recalled cheese was then cut and sold to customers from Cheese Plate Brooklyn - Park Slope LLC., and Cheese Plate Brooklyn :

No illnesses have been reported to date related to the consumption of this product within the United States.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fromi-usa-recalls-brie-royal-faucon-1kg-because-possible-health-risk
Fromi USA Recalls Brie Royal Faucon 1kg Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 14, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 14, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Fromi USA
Brand Name:  Brie Royal Faucon
Product Description:  Brie Royal Faucon Cheese

Retailer Recalls Imported Cheese After Foreign Supplier Issue Listeria Concern

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling Wegmans Medium Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese, and various products containing this cheese, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The cheese was supplied to Wegmans by Estancia Holdings of Cumming, Georgia, who initiated a recall after the company was notified by their French supplier that three shipments they received may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected products were sold in the cheese department at all Wegmans stores located in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wegmans-food-markets-inc-recalls-various-wegmans-camembert-soft-ripened-cheese-products-because
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. Recalls Various Wegmans Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 12, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Foodborne Illness - Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:  Wegmans New York
Brand Name:  Wegmans
Product Description:  Cheeses

NH Firm Recalls Spanish-style Cheese After FDA Inspection Finds Rodent Infestation in Facility

Quesito El Establo of Salem, NH is recalling all Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) manufactured in their facility, due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity, and other insanitary conditions during the manufacturing and storage process.  This recall is the result of an FDA inspection where insanitary conditions were observed. Quesito el Establo has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation.

The Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) was distributed in Massachusetts in Hispanic/Latino retail stores. All products with stamped with code AUG 22 2025 or earlier are included in the recall.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quesito-el-establo-recalls-spanish-cheese-quesito-colombiano-because-possible-health-risk
Quesito El Establo Recalls Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano) Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 12, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to the presence of rodent, rodent activity, and other insanitary conditions during the manufacturing and storage process
Company Name:  Quesito El Establo
Brand Name:  Quesito El Establo
Product Description:  Spanish Cheese (Quesito Colombiano)

Instant Coffee Recalled for Potential Glass Contamination After Complaint

Dollar General Corporation is recalling three (3) lots of its eight (8) ounce Clover Valley® Instant Coffee due to the potential presence of glass.  The recall is being initiated after a customer notified Dollar General employees about the potential issue.  Dollar General is actively investigating the source of the glass contamination and apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this product issue.

This product was packed in glass jars, so this could be a issue associated with breakage during jar storage or during filling.

lover Valley® Instant Coffee was sold and distributed between July 9-21, 2025 exclusively in Dollar General retail stores located in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA,ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI ,WV, and WY.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dollar-general-announces-voluntary-recall-clover-valleyr-instant-coffee-due-potential-presence-glass

Dollar General Announces Voluntary Recall of Clover Valley® Instant Coffee Due to Potential Presence of Glass
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 11, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 12, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential presence of glass
Company Name:  Dollar General Corporation
Brand Name:  Clover Valley
Product Description:  Instant coffee

Imported Chocolate Product Recalled for Missing Wheat Allergen Due to Failure in ERP System

Neuhaus Chocolates NV of Vlezenbeek, BELGIUM has initiated a voluntary recall for : Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurfs 'Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies, because it contains undeclared wheat.  The action was initiated after it was discovered during an internal check that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an exceptional combination of circumstances in which the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) did not include the allergen on the packaging.

This is where an allergen preventive control is so important.  Getting a visual check on the label and comparing to the actual formulation, rather than relying on computer systems.

The Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurf’s “Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies” were distributed between 21/07/2025 and 04/08/2025 by Neuhaus stores in New York, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and via the Neuhaus webshop.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/neuhaus-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-belgian-chocolate-moments-smurfs-popping-milk
Neuhaus Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurf’s Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies'
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 10, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat allergen
Company Name:  Neuhaus Chocolates NV
Brand Name:  Neuhaus
Product Description:  Belgian Chocolate Moments Smurfs Popping Milk Chocolates with Cookies

Reopening a Facility After an Outbreak - Boar's Head Faces Criticism

An article posted on FoodManufacturing.com provides insight into the battle of reopening the Boar's Head Jarratt, Virginia, plant after last year's Listeria outbreak linked to liverwurst product produced at that facility.

In the article, a number of people have weighed in on the reopening the facility, most of that negative. They base their dissention on the fact that the company's other facilities have had similar findings, and thus the company has not rectified their ways.

 "...documents obtained by The Associated Press through a freedom of information request show that Boar’s Head plants in Arkansas, Indiana and elsewhere in Virginia were flagged for the same kinds of sanitation problems that led to the outbreak, with the most recent report in June. In the past seven months, government inspectors reported problems that include instances of meat and fat residue left on equipment and walls, drains blocked with meat products, beaded condensation on ceilings and floors, overflowing trash cans, and staff who didn’t wear protective hairnets and plastic aprons — or wash their hands."

As an outside observer, I find it impossible to say whether the company would have issues if restarted this facility.  I would think that if USDA approved it to reopen, then a high level of inspection must have been completed.  There is no way the company, or USDA wants to reopen a plant that will cause another outbreak.

What we can say however, is that it is difficult to reopen a facility that was involved in a major outbreak where there were fatalities.  I think the company not being totally transparent about the cause has hurt their cause.  Along with that, not providing detailed information on how they transformed their operations (culture) to prevent future issues.  Just hiring a few show ponies is not enough.

In the end, reopening a plant that invites such strong criticism will only hurt the brand.

Food Manufactuing.com
https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/safety/news/22947501/boars-head-plans-to-reopen-troubled-deli-meat-plant-but-reports-of-sanitation-problems-persist
Boar's Head Plans to Reopen Troubled Deli Meat Plant, but Reports of Sanitation Problems Persist
The facility was at the heart of a deadly food poisoning outbreak last year.
Jonel Aleccia
Aug 8, 2025

The Boar's Head deli meat plant at the heart of last year's deadly food poisoning outbreak is set to reopen in the coming months, company officials said.

Ice Cream Recalled for Undeclared Wheat and Soy - Cookies & Cream with Correct Lid But Wrong Carton

Friendly’s Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity (324 cartons) of 48 fl. oz. Cookies & Cream ice cream because of undeclared soy and wheat. The recalled product was mistakenly packaged in Friendly’s Vanilla Bean ice cream cartons with a Cookies & Cream lid.  The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that a limited quantity of Cookies & Cream ice cream was mistakenly packaged in a Friendly’s Vanilla Bean ice cream cartons that did not identify the soy and wheat ingredients. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported.

The recalled product was distributed through a single distribution center, UNFI, to retail stores in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/friendlys-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soywheat-friendlys-cookies-cream-ice-cream
Friendly’s Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy/Wheat in Friendly’s Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  August 05, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  August 06, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared wheat and soy allergens
Company Name:  DFA Dairy Brands, LLC
Brand Name:  Friendly’s
Product Description:  Cookies and Cream Ice Cream