Cassidy, Kennedy Raise Concerns on Foreign Imported Radioactive Shrimp, Advocate for Gulf Shrimp

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and John Kennedy (R-LA) raised safety concerns to the largest grocery stores in the United States for selling foreign imported shrimp that contains dangerous radioactive substances despite repeated safety recalls.

"Despite these numerous concerns, [you] continue to sell imported shrimp at your stores, rather than support domestic fisheries that offer a safer product while supporting small American businesses," wrote the senators. "Ensuring that American families have access to safe, quality food is essential for us to advance President Trump's agenda to Make America Healthy Again."

Since August, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued eight safety alerts related to imported shrimp potentially contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive substance that can cause serious health harms like cancer. In response, Cassidy and Kennedy are calling on Americans to eat shrimp produced in states like Louisiana, as it poses significantly less health risks and benefits local businesses.

Under the Biden administration, FDA failed to adequately prioritize foreign food inspections, inspecting less than one percent of all foreign facilities in 2024. As Chairman of the HELP Committee, Cassidy is committed to working with President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to improve food safety.

Read the full letter to Walmart here.

Read the full letter to Kroger here.

Read the full letter to Albertsons here.

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