Walmart Issues Nationwide Recall of Frozen Shrimp Due to Radioactive Concerns

In a response to federal safety alerts, Walmart is retracting certain batches of frozen shrimp across various states because of a potential risk of radioactive contamination.

Prompted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's findings, three specific lots of the Great Value shrimp brand are being pulled from store shelves. This action follows the detection of Cesium-137, a radioactive material, in shipments as well as a sample of battered shrimp arriving from Indonesia.

Although exposure to low levels of Cesium-137 is said to be a minor health risk, the FDA advises consumers to dispose of the affected products as a precautionary measure.

"For safety, customers who have purchased these specific frozen shrimp should discard them," the FDA relayed in an official announcement.

What is Cesium-137?

Cesium-137 often emerges from nuclear activities such as bomb detonations, reactor operations, and nuclear mishaps. It can be found globally, albeit in small quantities, within soil, air, and food.

The concentration of Cesium-137 in the shrimp sample was significantly below the level that typically necessitates action by the FDA. However, avoiding products with even minor contamination can help prevent long-term health risks associated with continued low-dose radiation exposure.

Ongoing Investigation and Measures

The FDA has launched an inquiry into reports of Cesium-137 in shipments and items from the Indonesian company BMS Foods, or P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati. Authorities at U.S. entry points in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Savannah were the first to detect these radioactivity concerns.

Subsequent to learning about shipments that went undetected and made it to U.S. shores, Walmart took proactive action by recalling potentially contaminated shrimp items. The affected lots, identifiable by lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, have an expiration date of March 15, 2027, and were distributed in multiple states.

Customers are encouraged to either dispose of the shrimp or return them for a reimbursement at any local Walmart outlet. This recall spans across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.