Numerous recalls have been initiated this year due to the potential for damaged products, foodborne illness and contamination.

The FDA advises consumers not to eat the recalled products. Traces of Cesium-137 are widespread in the environment including food, soil and air. The primary health risk is through long-term, repeated low-dose exposure, which can increase the risk of cancer.

Beyranevand says it’s possible that a particular food product could become contaminated if it was raised or farmed somewhere with elevated levels of Cs-137. Either way, she believes the breaded frozen shrimp recall is “definitely a cause for concern” for the food industry-at-large.