Shrimp in ice
Shrimp in ice Change C.C/Pexels

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a consumer warning urging people not to eat, sell or serve specific lots of Great Value frozen shrimp sold at Walmart. The advisory was released after testing detected possible radioactive contamination with Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in a shipment from the same Indonesian supplier.

The affected products were distributed to Walmart stores in 13 US states, raising concerns among shoppers about seafood safety.

Which Shrimp Products Are Affected

The warning issued by the FDA applies to Great Value raw frozen shrimp, imported by Walmart from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati in Indonesia. According to the agency, the following lot codes and best-by dates are under the advisory:

  • Lot 8005540-1 – Best by 15 March 2027
  • Lot 8005538-1 – Best by 15 March 2027
  • Lot 8005539-1 – Best by 15 March 2027

These products were sold in Walmart stores across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.

Why the Shrimp Was Flagged

FDA inspectors detected Cs-137 in a shipment of shrimp from the same Indonesian supplier. The contaminated batch did not enter US commerce, but because it came from the same facility, the FDA issued a precautionary 'Do not eat, sell, or serve' advisory for related lots found in Walmart freezers.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive isotope produced through nuclear fission. It can contaminate seafood through environmental exposure or processing contamination. The FDA is now working with Indonesian regulators to determine how the shrimp became exposed.

Is Radioactive Shrimp Dangerous?

Testing found radioactivity levels of 68 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg) in the flagged shipment. This is well below the FDA's imported food concern threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. According to the FDA, such levels do not pose an immediate health hazard.

However, the agency maintains that shoppers should avoid eating shrimp from the affected lots. The advisory was issued as a precautionary measure to protect consumers while the investigation continues.

This raises the central consumer question: Can radioactive shrimp kill you? Based on current FDA findings, the answer is no. The levels detected are too low to cause acute harm, but regulatory authorities advise against taking risks when food safety is uncertain.

Walmart's Recall Response

Walmart confirmed that it is recalling the listed Great Value shrimp products in line with FDA guidance. The retailer said it is cooperating fully with regulators and suppliers to remove any potentially contaminated seafood from shelves.

'The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate,' said Walmart in an email to CBS News.

Shoppers with questions are advised to contact Walmart customer service for refunds or further details. The company has pledged to support customers and ensure only safe seafood remains available in stores.

What Consumers Should Do Now

The FDA has outlined steps for households and businesses:

  • For consumers: Anyone who has bought the affected Great Value frozen raw shrimp should not consume it. The product should be discarded immediately and not served to others.
  • For distributors and retailers: Businesses holding the impacted shrimp lots are advised to remove them from stock and ensure they are not offered for sale or served to customers.
  • For health concerns: Individuals worried about possible exposure to higher levels of cesium-137 are encouraged to seek medical advice from their healthcare provider.

Visit the FDA's food advisory webpage for updates on the investigation and recall.

Writer's pick