Walmart Recalls Frozen Shrimp Over Potential Radiation Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled frozen shrimp that were sold at Walmart because of potential radiation contamination.

In a news release, the FDA stated that Customs and Border Protection authorities had notified it of the discovery of Cesium-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports. Following testing, the FDA verified that a breaded shrimp sample had a positive Cs-137 test result.

The following product names, lot codes, and best-by dates are part of the recall by Indonesia-based BMS Foods:

Best by Date: March 15, 2027; Lot Code: 8005540-1; Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp
Best by Date: March 15, 2027; Lot Code: 8005538-1; Excellent Value brand frozen raw shrimp
Best by Date: March 15, 2027; Lot Code: 8005539-1; Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp

The FDA claims that none of the company's shrimp that tested positive for C-137 made it to shop shelves.

The food "looks to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern," according to the FDA.

One cargo of imported frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati that did not reach U.S. commerce contained Cs-137, according to the FDA. The FDA's Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137 is 1200 Bq/kg, yet the amount of Cs-137 found in the detained shipment was only about 68 Bq/kg.

If you recently purchased one of the impacted lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart, throw it away.

Do not eat or serve this product.

Distributors and retailers should dispose of this product and should not sell or serve this product.

If you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium, talk to your healthcare provider.

The FDA stated that Cs-137 would not present an immediate risk to consumers at the level found, but it also noted that long-term exposure to low-level radiation may have detrimental effects on health.

The FDA states that an increased risk of cancer due to damage to DNA in live cells is the main health effect of concern after longer-term, repeated low-dose exposure of Cs-137 through the intake of contaminated food or water.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry resources at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide more details.