Walmart has issued a recall of certain frozen shrimp products in 13 U.S. states after testing revealed potential radioactive contamination. The alert comes as a precaution, even though contaminated shipments did not reach store shelves.
What happened?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that one sample of breaded shrimp tested positive for Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. While that specific shipment did not enter U.S. commerce, Walmart’s Great Value frozen shrimp from the same Indonesian supplier may have been exposed under unsanitary conditions.
Where and what products are affected?
The recall applies to 2-pound bags of Great Value white vannamei shrimp with a best-by date of March 15, 2027, sold in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Specific lot codes affected include 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1.
Safety advice for consumers
Consumers are urged to throw away any affected shrimp or return it to Walmart for a full refund. The FDA confirmed that the detected levels of Cesium-137 were about 68 Bq/kg, far below the intervention threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg, meaning there’s no immediate risk. However, long-term low-dose exposure may increase cancer risk.
Walmart response
A Walmart spokesperson said, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate.”
What is Cesium-137?
Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear fission and can be found in medical devices and nuclear reactor byproducts. The FDA emphasizes that avoiding products with potential contamination is a precautionary measure to reduce long-term radiation exposure.
Consumers with questions or who purchased affected shrimp can return it to any Walmart location for a refund.
