FDA Issues Warning on Potentially Radioactive Shrimp Sold at Walmart
What triggered the alert?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered traces of cesium-137 (Cs-137)—a radioactive isotope—in shipping containers originating from Indonesia. These were flagged at major ports in Los Angeles, Miami, Savannah, and Houston.
What was found?
Further testing by the FDA confirmed Cs-137 in at least one sample of breaded shrimp processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), an Indonesian supplier.
Have any contaminated products reached U.S. stores?
While the contaminated breaded shrimp samples were blocked, Walmart did receive shipments of raw frozen shrimp from the same supplier that hadn’t triggered any alarm. The FDA is now treating those as potentially unsafe due to possible unsanitary handling.
What’s being recalled?
The FDA has called on Walmart to recall three specific lot codes of Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp—2 lb bags of EZ Peel Tail-On White Vannamei shrimp—with a best-by date of March 15, 2027. These were distributed across 13 states, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and others. Consumers are advised to discard the product or return it to Walmart for a refund.
How risky is the contamination?
The detected Cs-137 level (~68 Bq/kg) is well below the FDA’s intervention threshold of 1,200 Bq/kg. That means there’s no immediate danger, but prolonged exposure—even at low levels—could raise long-term cancer risk due to DNA damage.
What actions are underway?
The FDA has added BMS Foods to its “red list” through an import alert—blocking further shipments until safety is assured. They’re also coordinating with CBP and Indonesian regulators to identify and resolve the contamination’s root cause.
What You Should Do:
If you've bought Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches the recall description (2 lb EZ Peel Tail-On White Vannamei shrimp, lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, or 8005539-1, best-by 03/15/2027), please do not eat it. Dispose of the product or return it to Walmart for a refund. For any concerns about exposure, consider consulting a healthcare professional.
