U.S. Senator John Kennedy has raised alarms about potential health risks associated with recalled shrimp, claiming that consumption could lead to severe consequences, including resembling an alien creature from the 1979 film *Alien*. During a recent Senate speech, the Louisiana Republican utilized a large visual aid to illustrate his point, warning that certain shrimp imports could be radioactive due to contamination.
Kennedy addressed the Senate on March 6, 2024, highlighting the recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a dramatic display, he presented a poster featuring a screenshot of the chestburster alien from *Alien*. “If you eat some of the raw frozen shrimp being sent to the United States by other countries,” he cautioned, “this is what you could end up looking like.”
He referenced several brands of shrimp pulled from stores, including products sold at Walmart, and specifically mentioned radioactive contamination of shrimp imported from BMS Foods in Indonesia. Kennedy stated, “It had a radioactive isotope in it called cesium-137. It’ll kill you. Even if it doesn’t turn you into the alien, I guarantee you’ll grow an extra ear.”
While Kennedy’s remarks aimed to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, experts have criticized his claims as exaggerated. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected cesium-137 in shrimp at levels of 68 Bq/kg, significantly below the federal intervention threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. According to the American Nuclear Society, this level of radiation is comparable to the natural radiation found in bananas and is not immediately harmful to consumers.
The FDA’s recall notices assert that the primary concern regarding the shrimp is long-term exposure, which could increase cancer risk over time rather than pose an immediate threat. Kennedy’s alarming rhetoric could mislead consumers about the actual dangers posed by these products.
Kennedy, representing the largest shrimp-producing state in the U.S., has a vested interest in promoting domestic shrimp over foreign imports. He acknowledged his bias, stating, “I believe in homegrown Louisiana shrimp. Fresh, out of the Gulf, not radioactive.”
In his remarks, Kennedy suggested that shrimp from foreign producers is cultivated in substandard conditions, claiming, “This shrimp is grown in conditions that you can’t possibly imagine. Dirty water. They shoot the shrimp full of antibiotics.” He implied that foreign producers might be intentionally contaminating their shrimp, a claim that lacks supporting evidence.
Experts note that the contamination likely results from accidental exposure to industrial materials rather than deliberate actions by shrimp producers. The use of radioactive materials in consumer products, such as smoke detectors, is common, but the specific circumstances surrounding the shrimp contamination remain unclear.
Kennedy concluded by urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enhance inspections of imported shrimp to ensure consumer safety. As the debate surrounding food safety and import regulations continues, the senator’s dramatic presentation has sparked significant conversation about the risks associated with foreign seafood products.