FDA Warns of Potential Radioactive Contamination in Walmart's Great Value Frozen Shrimp
The FDA has issued a warning regarding potential radioactive contamination in certain Great Value frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart stores across 13 states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning concerning potential radioactive contamination in specific Great Value brand frozen shrimp products sold at Walmart stores in 13 states. The affected products are:
- Great Value Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag, lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1, with a Best By Date of 3/15/2027.
These products were distributed to Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
The FDA's alert follows detections of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers at four U.S. ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in shrimp processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati in Indonesia. While no contaminated products have entered U.S. commerce, the FDA advises consumers who have purchased the specified shrimp to dispose of them and not to consume or serve them.
Distributors and retailers are also instructed to discard these products. The FDA is collaborating with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the contamination's origin and has placed PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati on an import alert to prevent further shipments into the U.S. until the issue is resolved.
Long-term exposure to low doses of Cs-137 is associated with an elevated risk of cancer due to DNA damage. Individuals concerned about potential exposure should consult their healthcare provider. The FDA's investigation is ongoing.