Walmart recalls Great Value shrimp after FDA warns of risk of radioactive contamination

Walmart is issuing a recall on frozen shrimp sold under its Great Value label after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of potential radioactive contamination. The shrimp, imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati in Indonesia, are not safe for consumption, according to the FDA.

In response to the FDA warning, Walmart has removed the affected product from its stores and is working with the supplier to investigate the issue. Customers who purchased the frozen shrimp are advised not to eat it and to discard the product. Walmart is offering a full refund to customers who return the product to the store where it was purchased.

The FDA detected the presence of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in a shipment of frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati. While no products that entered U.S. commerce tested positive for Cesium-137, the FDA issued a warning specifically for Walmart’s Great Value shrimp.

The specific lots of Great Value frozen raw shrimp that are part of the FDA warning include:
– Lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
– Lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
– Lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027

Consumers who purchased any of these lots of shrimp should dispose of the product and refrain from consuming it. Distributors and retailers are also urged to remove the product from shelves and not sell or serve it.

Cesium-137 is a radioactive form of the element cesium, produced through nuclear fission. While the detected levels in the shrimp were below the FDA’s threshold for concern, repeated low-dose exposure to Cesium-137 can pose a risk of cancer due to DNA damage in living cells.

It is important to avoid products with similar levels of Cs-137 to reduce long-term exposure to low-level radiation and potential health impacts. Customers are encouraged to prioritize their health and safety by following the FDA’s guidance on the affected shrimp products.