FDA Warns of Potential Radioactive Contamination in Walmart's Frozen Shrimp

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding specific lots of Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart stores in 13 states, citing potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The affected products include 2-pound bags of frozen raw white vannamei shrimp with lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, all bearing a best-by date of March 15, 2027. These items were distributed to Walmart locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

The FDA's advisory follows the detection of Cesium-137 in shipping containers and a sample ... by PT. Bahari Makmur Se ... also known as BMS Foods. While the contaminated shipments were intercepted and did not enter the U.S. market, the FDA recommends consumers discard or return the specified shrimp products as a precautionary measure.

Cesium-137 is a ... and is present in trace amounts globally. Although the levels detected in the shrimp were below the FDA's intervention threshold of 1,200 becquerels per kilogram, prolonged exposure to low doses of radiation can increase cancer risk.

Walmart has confirmed the immediate recall of the affected products from impacted stores. A company spokesperson stated, "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate."

The FDA continues to investigate the situation in collaboration with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to determine the source of the contamination and prevent future occurrences.