How to Handle a Shrimp Recall: Step-by-Step Guide

Check If Your Shrimp Is Affected by the Recall

When the FDA or FSIS issues a shrimp recall, they publish specific product details: brand name, lot codes, UPC numbers, package size, and the date range when the shrimp was produced or distributed. Check your package's label for the product name, UPC (found on the barcode), lot or batch number, and "use by" date. Compare these details against the official recall notice published on FDA.gov or FSIS.USDA.gov. Panko Alerts monitors all active recalls in real-time across 25+ government sources, so you can instantly see if a product in your kitchen matches a recalled item. If you've already thrown away the packaging, contact the retailer or manufacturer with a photo of your receipt or credit card statement to confirm whether your purchase is included.

Return or Safely Dispose of Recalled Shrimp

Do not cook or consume the shrimp. If the shrimp is still frozen or refrigerated, keep it sealed in its original packaging to prevent cross-contamination. Take the product back to the retailer where you purchased it—most grocers accept returns of recalled seafood without a receipt. Alternatively, contact the manufacturer directly for a refund or replacement option. If returning is not practical, dispose of the shrimp by sealing it in a leak-proof bag and placing it in your trash bin (not in a garbage disposal, which can spread contamination). Wash your hands, any utensils, and surfaces that may have contacted the product with hot soapy water to eliminate residual pathogens.

What to Do If You Already Ate Recalled Shrimp

If you consumed shrimp before learning of the recall, monitor yourself and your household for symptoms of foodborne illness: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and headache can appear within hours or up to several days depending on the pathogen. Contact your healthcare provider or poison control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) if symptoms develop or if you are pregnant, very young, elderly, or immunocompromised—these groups face higher risk of severe illness. Report your adverse reaction to the FDA's MedWatch program at fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366). The CDC and FDA use these reports to track outbreak patterns and determine if a recall scope needs to expand.

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