FDA Alert: Frozen Shrimp Contaminated With Radioactive Material—Here’s What to Know

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain bags of Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart due to concerns that the seafood may have been contaminated with radioactive material.

The agency is investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by an Indonesian company, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, also known as BMS Foods, is following an alert from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The product appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions where it may have been contaminated with the radioactive material.

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

These products include the following product names, lot codes, and best by dates: 

• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027

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At this time, none of the products that tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 have entered stores. The FDA is currently working with distributors and retailers that received product from shipments after the date of the first detection to conduct a recall.

The amount of Cs-137 detected by the FDA is below its "levels of concern" for imported foods, but it "could represent a potential health concern" when combined with radiation found in the environment.

Exposure to Cs-137 through ingestion or inhalation allows the radioactive material to be distributed in the soft tissues, especially muscle tissue, potentially increasing a person's cancer risk, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Consumers who have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart are urged to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. If you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of the radioactive material, contact your healthcare provider immediately.