Walmart Recalls Frozen Shrimp Over Radioactive Contamination Fears
Walmart has pulled several batches of its Great Value brand frozen shrimp from stores in 13 states after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found traces of radioactive material in a shipment linked to the product.
FDA Detects Radioactive Cesium-137
The FDA confirmed that one shipment of shrimp processed by Indonesian supplier PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati tested positive for Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope created through nuclear reactions. While the contaminated shipment never reached U.S. consumers, federal officials warned that prolonged exposure to the substance could increase cancer risks by damaging living cells.
Cesium-137 has been tied to major nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, though it also exists in trace amounts in soil, food, and air worldwide.
States Impacted by the Recall
The recall affects Walmart stores in the following 13 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- West Virginia
Consumers who purchased Great Value frozen shrimp from these locations are advised not to eat the product. Instead, they should throw it away immediately or return it to any Walmart store for a full refund.
Walmart’s Response
In a statement, Walmart said the shrimp was removed from impacted stores as soon as concerns surfaced. “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” the company said, adding that it has placed sales restrictions on the product while working with its supplier to investigate the issue.
What Consumers Should Know
The FDA emphasized that while no contaminated shrimp entered U.S. commerce, the recall was issued as a precaution. Tests on other products have not detected Cesium-137, but the agency cautioned that this does not completely rule out potential exposure.
For now, the FDA continues to investigate shipments from the Indonesian supplier to ensure no further radioactive contamination risks are present in the U.S. seafood supply.
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