Walmart's Shrimp Recall Sparks Health Concerns over Radioactive Contamination in 13 States

Walmart has initiated a recall of certain shrimp products in the United States after tests revealed potential exposure to radioactive material. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised the public to avoid consuming frozen shrimp sold under Walmart’s Great Value label due to possible contamination by Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope identified in shipping containers.

The FDA’s warning indicates that radioactive material was detected in one shipment of breaded shrimp, although this sample did not enter U.S. commerce. Consumers in 13 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia are urged to discard any affected shrimp from recent purchases among three specific batches.

Walmart representatives assert the company’s commitment to customer safety, implementing a sales restriction and removing the product from affected stores. A full refund is offered to customers who return the shrimp products. The recall follows contamination discovered in shrimp shipments from an Indonesian supplier, which led to several containers being denied entry to the U.S.

Cesium-137 was detected in a shipment from this supplier, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, known also as BMS Foods. Due to the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure to the isotope—which can damage living cells and elevate cancer risk—the FDA has deemed it crucial to prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers.

Although no other products tested positive for Cesium-137, analysts warn against ruling out potential contamination. Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, prevalent in trace amounts worldwide in various environments. Despite this, the FDA maintains a cautious stance, reflecting concerns about insanitary conditions during processing that could lead to contamination.

Customs and Border Protection had initially flagged the contamination at major U.S. ports, including Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah. The subsequent FDA investigation led to the supplier being listed on a "red list," prohibiting U.S. sales until the contamination issue is resolved.

The FDA advises against consuming Great Value brand raw frozen shrimp from Walmart, identified by lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, with a best-by date of March 15, 2027. Consumers are encouraged to dispose of the shrimp or return them to Walmart for a refund, with continued investigations aimed at the implicated supply chain from BMS Foods.

The FDA works in coordination with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to determine the root cause of the contamination. While Cs-137 levels detected in shrimp are below intervention thresholds, avoiding exposure is recommended to mitigate risks associated with low-level radiation over extended periods. Walmart confirms its immediate recall following FDA guidance, ensuring a thorough investigation with the supplier to reaffirm product safety.