FDA investigating possibly radioactive shrimp sold at Walmart, warns public not to eat
Officials said, at this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce
The FDA is warning the public about possibly radioactive shrimp that may have been sold at Walmart in 13 states.
The warning is for some Great Value raw frozen shrimp because it may be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, the FDA announced on Tuesday.
The products include the following product names, lot codes, and best by dates:
- Great Value brand Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
- Great Value brand Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
- Great Value brand Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
Walmart says the products were sold at stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection alerted the FDA about possible Cesium-137 (Cs-137) detected in shipping containers at four U.S. ports.
The FDA then tested samples of shrimp - initially processed by BMS foods of Indonesia - and found radioactive materials.
Officials said, at this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. commerce.
Still, they are advising that if you recently purchased one of the impacted lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product.
Distributors and retailers are also being told to dispose of this product.
FDA is working with distributors and retailers that received product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati after the date of first detection of Cs-137 to recommend that firms conduct a recall.
In conjunction with other information, FDA says that product from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati violates the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, saying that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions, which may have contributed to it possibly being contaminated with Cs-137, posing a safety concern.
The FDA says that PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been added to a new import alert for chemical contamination to stop products from this firm from coming into the U.S. until further notice.
The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure of Cs-137 (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.
If you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium, talk to your healthcare provider.
"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 said n a statement to Action News.
The FDA's investigation is ongoing.
