The FDA is investigating frozen shrimp from an Indonesian supplier after tests raised concerns about potentially radioactive contamination. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) alerted the FDA to a potential Cesium-137 hazard in shipping containers. The agency quickly issued a public warning advising consumers not to eat the shrimp.
Highlights
- The FDA issued a warning against the sale, purchase, and consumption of a specific imported frozen shrimp.
- The radioactive component was suspected to be present in frozen shrimp imported by an Indonesian company.
- The FDA warned about the risks of the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 and its potential health effects.
Public Warned Against Purchase of Possibly Radioactive Shrimp
The FDA issued a public warning against a potentially radioactive frozen shrimp product. The frozen shrimp, processed by Indonesian company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, has been sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand in at least 13 states. Low levels of Cesium-137 were found in the product supplier’s shipping containers.
The FDA was alerted to this contamination by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Samples from the containers confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in the products processed by the Indonesian company. Testing suggested the shrimp may have been contaminated during processing, packing, or storage.
The product is sold under Walmart’s Great Value brand. A recall of the affected products was issued by Walmart, asking consumers to either discard or return them.
Product Description and Stores Affected
Consumers are advised not to eat or serve the specified product from Walmart. This particular product was sold in Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
The product name, type, and lot code are as follows:
- Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp: Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag – 80055401
- Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp: Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag – 80055381
- Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp: Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp, 2lb bag – 80055391
Consumers who purchased the shrimp should throw it away or return it to Walmart for a refund.
Health Impact of the Contaminated Shrimp
A single shipment tested positive for the radioactive isotope, but it never reached U.S. store shelves. Long-term exposure to Cesium-137 can damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer.
More information on cesium exposure is available online. Anyone suspected of having been exposed to elevated levels of cesium should talk to their healthcare provider.
