Walmart has issued a recall for frozen, uncooked shrimp that was sold in 13 states across the United States due to potential radioactive contamination, according to federal health officials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested Walmart to remove three batches of Great Value branded frozen shrimp from shelves after detecting Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers and a sample of breaded shrimp imported from Indonesia.
FDA officials have expressed concerns that the affected products could present a health risk to individuals exposed to low levels of Cesium-137 over time. They advised consumers who have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart matching the specified description to dispose of it immediately.
Despite the detection of Cesium-137 in the frozen breaded shrimp, the level found was significantly below FDA intervention thresholds. Nevertheless, the agency emphasized the importance of avoiding potentially contaminated items to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that may result in health issues over a period.
The FDA is currently investigating reports of Cesium-137 contamination in shipping containers and products processed by P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati, trading as BMS Foods in Indonesia. U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorities notified the FDA after discovering Cesium-137 in shipping containers bound for various U.S. ports.
Following the discovery, FDA officials conducted tests on multiple product samples, confirming contamination in one sample of frozen breaded shrimp. The affected shipping containers and products were denied entry into the United States.
Subsequently, it was revealed that Walmart had received potentially impacted products in subsequent imports that had not triggered contamination alerts. Walmart promptly initiated a recall of the affected items, including Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp with lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, all with best-by dates of March 15, 2027. These products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Consumers are urged to either discard the products or return them to any Walmart store for a refund.
