Frozen Shrimp Sold at Walmart Flagged by FDA for Possible Radiation Contamination
Key Takeaways
The FDA has flagged and recalled certain lots of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart in multiple states due to possible contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.
While one contaminated sample tested below dangerous levels, the FDA warns that unsanitary handling and potential exposure still make the recalled shrimp unsafe to eat.
Consumers who purchased the affected shrimp should throw it away immediately, as prolonged exposure to Cesium-137 can increase cancer risk, and BMS Foods imports are currently barred from entering the U.S. until further notice.
If you recently stocked up on frozen shrimp, you may want to check your stash. According to a warning issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), certain raw frozen shrimp products imported to the U.S. by Indonesia-based PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (also known as BMS Foods) may be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope that can have adverse health effects.
Per the announcement, the FDA is currently investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products, including some sold at Walmart under the Great Value label. The issue was discovered after the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) detected Cs-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami.
As a result, the FDA collected multiple samples, which confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp. However, subsequent testing found that the levels of Cs-137 detected in said lot were below the FDA's Derived Intervention Level—meaning it's not immediately dangerous to those who ingest it.
According to the FDA, 'all containers and product testing positive or alerting for Cs-137 have been denied entry into the country.' Additionally, the agency is currently coordinating with CBP to 'prevent any contaminated products from reaching consumers' and is working with Indonesian authorities to 'investigate the root cause of the contamination.'
While testing has shown that items currently available for purchase in America were not contaminated, this doesn't rule out contamination entirely. Additionally, some shrimp products are being flagged because they were prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions. Due to these conditions, the FDA asserts that some of the frozen shrimp 'may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.' The FDA also noted that Walmart received a lot of frozen shrimp that could have been contaminated, as it was 'imported after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by CBP, but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137.'
Still, the FDA recommends that Walmart recall certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp as a precautionary measure. The recalled shrimp were sold at Walmart stores in the following states—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
The now-recalled lots of frozen shrimp are listed below:
Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
If you have any of this shrimp in your refrigerator or freezer, the FDA suggests you throw it away immediately, without eating or serving it.
According to the FDA, Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium. Trace amounts of it can be found in the environment, including in soil, food, and air, but prolonged exposure to even small amounts of Cs-137 correlates with a higher risk of cancer, as it can damage DNA in living cells.
As a result of these findings, the FDA is actively investigating BMS Foods, and is currently not allowing products from BMS Foods to enter the United States market until necessary changes have been made.
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