Latest news with #PT.BahariMakmurSejati
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Health
- Time of India
Radioactive shrimp: US FDA issues recall on Walmart frozen seafood; here's why cancer risk is a concern
If you've got frozen shrimp from Walmart sitting in your freezer, you might want to double-check the label. On Tuesday, US health officials announced a recall of shrimp imported from Indonesia after traces of radioactivity were detected. The shrimp came from a company called PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and was distributed across 13 states by Walmart, according to the FDA. Tests found the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 in some of the shrimp. Now, before you panic—the FDA says the levels were super minimal and don't pose an 'immediate hazard' if eaten. Still, there's a catch. The FDA explained that while none of the shrimp currently on Walmart shelves tested positive for radiation, products from the same supplier may have been processed or packed in less-than-ideal conditions. That raises the risk of possible contamination. And here's the bigger concern: even low-dose exposure to Cesium over time can increase cancer risk. What is radioactive shrimp ? Basically, shrimp imported from Indonesia tested positive for Cesium-137, which is a radioactive isotope. Don't worry—you're not going to start glowing in the dark if you ate some. The FDA said the levels were super low and not an 'immediate hazard.' Here's the catch though: even small amounts of radiation exposure, if it happens over time, can raise the risk of health issues like cancer. That's why the FDA flagged the shrimp as possibly being processed or stored in unsafe conditions, which means there was a chance of contamination. The shrimp in question was sold by Walmart across several US states, and the FDA has asked people to toss it if they've already bought some. No free returns—just throw it away. So 'radioactive shrimp' isn't about mutant seafood—it's really about contaminated food safety. And the bottom line? If you spot it on a recall list, don't eat it. Your dinner's not worth the risk. So, what should you do? If you bought frozen shrimp from Walmart recently, check the packaging and toss it if it matches the recalled batch. The FDA is urging customers not to eat it and instead play it safe. Source: US FDA
NBC News
10 hours ago
- Health
- NBC News
Walmart shrimp may have been exposed to radioactive material, FDA says
The Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday that the public should avoid eating certain frozen shrimp sold at Walmart due to concerns that the seafood may have been contaminated with radioactive material. Health officials said in a news release that it is investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati of Indonesia, also known as BMS Food. Some of the raw frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company are sold at Walmart stores in thirteen states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia, according to the FDA. Among the products includes Walmart's "great value brand frozen shrimp," the health agency said. "If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away," the FDA said. "Do not eat or serve this product." Health officials advised people to talk to their healthcare providers if they think they've been exposed to elevated levels of the contaminant. PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and Walmart did not immediately return requests for comment. Cs-137 is the radioactive form of Cesium, "a soft, flexible, silvery-white metal that becomes liquid near room temperature" used for medical devices and gauges, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Repeated exposure to low doses of Cs-137 can increase the risk of cancer, "resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body," health officials said in their news release. The FDA said that the U.S. Customs & Border Protection alerted the health agency to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami. It said that all containers and product that tested positive for Cs-137 were denied entry into the country. Health officials also cautioned that it did not detect Cs-137 in any product above the current derived intervention levels for Cs-137, of 1200 Bq/kg. However, the FDA said that "the level detected in the breaded shrimp sample could represent a potential health concern" if it is combined with radiation in the environment or from medical procedures.
San Francisco Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
FDA warns about possibly radioactive shrimp sold at Walmart
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat certain frozen shrimp sold at Walmart after tests raised concerns about possible radioactive contamination. The agency said the shrimp, marketed under Walmart's Great Value brand, was imported from Indonesian seafood processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, also known as BMS Foods. While no contaminated shrimp has entered the U.S. food supply, the FDA said Tuesday that shipments linked to the company violated federal food safety laws and may pose a health risk. U.S. Customs and Border Protection first detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, Ga. and Miami. FDA testing later confirmed the presence of the isotope in one sample of breaded shrimp from the same supplier. That shipment was denied entry into the country. Although the levels of Cesium-137 detected were well below federal thresholds, regulators said long-term exposure to even low doses could increase the risk of cancer. 'Avoiding products like the shipment FDA tested with similar levels of Cs-137 is a measure intended to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time,' the agency said in its notice. The products under recall include: Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005540-1, best by March 15, 2027 Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005538-1, best by March 15, 2027 Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005539-1, best by March 15, 2027 Consumers are urged to throw away the shrimp if purchased. Distributors and retailers are instructed not to sell or serve it. The FDA has placed PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati on an import alert, effectively banning its shrimp from entering the U.S. until safety concerns are resolved. The investigation is ongoing.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
FDA warns of radioactive contamination in some frozen shrimp sold at Walmart
The Food and Drug Administration is recalling frozen shrimp sold at Walmart for possible radioactive chemical contamination. The FDA advised the recall in an Aug. 19 notice, saying certain raw frozen shrimp products processed by Indonesian company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) had tested positive for Cesium-137, or Cs-137. Walmart sells the products under its Great Value brand. The presence of the chemical element violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, said the FDA, as it appears the affected product may have been "prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern." Here's what to know. Which products are recalled? Two-pound bags of Great Value brand Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp are subject to the recall. Lot codes and best by dates include the following: What is Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and why is it regulated? Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium, meaning it is a chemical element that emits radiation as it breaks down. It is man-made and is produced by nuclear fission, according to the FDA. In the United States, it is used in medical devices and measurement gauges, such as industrial devices that measure the thickness of materials. Because it is widespread around the globe, trace amounts can be found in the environment, including soil, food and air, said the FDA. Agencies, including the FDA and U.S. Customs & Border Protection, test for, monitor and regulate the presence of the substance due to the risks associated with long-term exposure. The FDA said low-level radiation exposure over time can lead to serious health complications. Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death. As a result, the governing agencies restrict potential exposure to lessen the possibility of these long-term impacts. The FDA said the presence of Cs-137 was confirmed in one sample of breaded shrimp, which was denied entry into the United States. "FDA has concluded that the level detected in the breaded shrimp sample could represent a potential health concern for those exposed to this level of Cs-137 from consumption of the shrimp over an extended period of time combined with radiation that exists in the environment and from other sources such as medical procedures," the agency said in a statement. While Cs-137 was only detected in a single shipment thus far, that does not mean other products made by the same manufacturer are not impacted. PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has also been placed on an import alert that prevents any of their food products from entering the United States until it resolves any conditions that could have caused the exposure. Where were the recalled shrimp sold? According to Walmart, shrimp products made by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati were distributed in 13 states. What to do if you have recalled shrimp If you have a package of the recalled Walmart shrimp at home, throw it away and do not eat or serve it, said the FDA. Distributors and retailers should dispose of the product and should not sell or serve it. Those who fear they may have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium should contact their medical provider. To make a complaint or report an adverse reaction, consumers can visit the FDA's Industry and Consumer Assistance portal.
