U.S. senators have expanded their inquiry into imported shrimp, which they claim “poses serious risks to families’ health,” sending questions to three of the largest seafood certification bodies.
Together, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) have sent a list of questions to the Global Seafood Alliance, the Marine Stewardship Council, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
Cassidy began an inquiry into shrimp imports with fellow Louisiana lawmaker U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) in November 2025, using the massive recalls of Indonesian shrimp potentially tainted by radioactive isotope Caesium-137 (Cs-137) beginning in August 2025 as an impetus to air their concerns over the safety of imported shrimp. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the levels of Cs-137 detected were not high enough to cause immediate harm and no product contaminated by Cs-137 has entered U.S. markets.
Still, the senators issued letters to major retailers Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons, demanding answers on how the companies deal with shrimp recalls, what they do to evaluate risk from imported shrimp, and whether they work with third-party certifications to ensure products are contaminant-free.
“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,” the senators stated in the identical letters. “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.”
Now, Cassidy and Tuberville have expanded their inquiry, sending a list of questions to the three major seafood certification groups.
“As Congress examines ways to enable consumers to access high quality food, it must also examine the role that aquaculture certification plays in supporting these efforts. Stakeholders in the food supply chain, including distributors, retailers, and restaurants, rely on third-party audits and certifications to determine whether the seafood they purchase is safe and responsibly caught,” the senators wrote. “However, questions have been raised around the independence of these processes. In order for these processes to work and to comply with the law, third-party audits and certifications must be based in legitimacy and take steps to prevent bad actors from abusing the system.”
The senators have asked the groups to respond with answers by 10 June.
