Walmart has issued a recall for its frozen shrimp products due to concerns over radioactive material found in a shipment of seafood. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the public not to consume the shrimp sold under the retailer's Great Value brand, which may have been exposed to a hazardous isotope while in transport. According to the FDA, a single sample of breaded shrimp showed a positive result for radiation, although this particular batch did not reach the market in the United States.
Consumers in 13 states where the affected shrimp were sold—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia—have been advised to discard any purchases from three specific batches. A Walmart representative emphasized their commitment to customer safety, stating, "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."
The shrimp in question originates from an Indonesian supplier, which has faced multiple shipping container denials due to the contamination issue. The FDA confirmed that one shipment contained Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope known for potential long-term health effects, such as an elevated cancer risk due to the damage it can cause to living cells. Although not detected in other tested products, the FDA urged precaution since contamination cannot be entirely ruled out.
Caesium-137 arises from nuclear reactions and is found in trace amounts across various environments, linking it to past nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. As the investigation continues, Walmart encourages customers who may have purchased the recalled shrimp to visit any of their locations for a full refund.
Consumers in 13 states where the affected shrimp were sold—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia—have been advised to discard any purchases from three specific batches. A Walmart representative emphasized their commitment to customer safety, stating, "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."
The shrimp in question originates from an Indonesian supplier, which has faced multiple shipping container denials due to the contamination issue. The FDA confirmed that one shipment contained Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope known for potential long-term health effects, such as an elevated cancer risk due to the damage it can cause to living cells. Although not detected in other tested products, the FDA urged precaution since contamination cannot be entirely ruled out.
Caesium-137 arises from nuclear reactions and is found in trace amounts across various environments, linking it to past nuclear disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. As the investigation continues, Walmart encourages customers who may have purchased the recalled shrimp to visit any of their locations for a full refund.
