FDA warns consumers not to eat potentially radioactive shrimp sold at Walmart

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public not to eat certain batches of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart after possible contamination with radioactive caesium-137.

The warning follows alerts from US Customs and Border Protection, which detected Caesium-137 in shipping containers of shrimp from Indonesian supplier BMS Foods. The authorities intercepted contaminated consignments at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami, stopping them from entering the US food market.

However, since Walmart sources its frozen shrimp from the same supplier, the FDA warns these products may also be affected.

The agency explained:

The products appear 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.”

The recall covers three product codes:

• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 15 March 2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 15 March 2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 15 March 2027

Walmart confirmed it has removed the products from its stores. In an official statement, the retailer said:

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.”

Walmart sold the contaminated shrimp across stores in 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.

The FDA has also suspended all further imports from BMS Foods “until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation.” 

Potential health risks

The FDA said radiation levels in the contaminated shrimp were around 68 becquerels per kilogram, which is well below its intervention threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. However, repeated low-dose exposure could increase the risk of cancer over time by damaging DNA in living cells.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, high levels of external exposure to Caesium-137 can cause burns, radiation sickness and, in severe cases, death.

What consumers should do

The FDA has urged customers in the affected states to check their freezers for the recalled shrimp and not to eat it.

The agency added:

If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away.”

Consumers can return products to Walmart for a full refund. Anyone concerned that they may have eaten the shrimp should consult their doctor.