FDA Alerts Consumers: Avoid Potentially Radioactive Shrimp from Great Value Brand at Walmart in 13 States

The FDA is warning the public about possibly radioactive shrimp that may have been sold at Walmart in 13 states.

The alert concerns certain Great Value raw frozen shrimp, as there is a risk of contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, according to an FDA announcement 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 has identified that these products were distributed across several states, including 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.

If you have recently bought any of the affected batches of Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart, it is advised that you discard the product immediately. It should not be eaten or used in any capacity.

Distributors and retailers are also being told to dispose of this product.

The FDA is collaborating with distributors and retail outlets that obtained the products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati following the initial detection of Cs-137 to suggest that companies initiate a recall.

According to the FDA, with additional information, products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati are deemed to contravene the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act, indicating they appear to have been produced, packaged, or stored under unsanitary conditions, which might have led to potential contamination with Cs-137, raising safety issues.

As a precaution, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been placed under a new import alert to prevent products from this firm from entering the U.S. until further notice, the FDA states.

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 FDA’s investigation is ongoing.