Great Value shrimp sold at Walmart under FDA warning for possible radiation contamination

The US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) is warning households and businesses that may have purchased shrimp at Walmart that they should throw out the product after finding that it may have been contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioisotope. The shrimp was sold at Walmart under the retail giant’s private label, Great Value, in over a dozen states, including Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

What is Cesium-137?

The recall was issued after Cesium-137 (Cs-137) was found to have contaminated the shipping containers, which US Customs and Border Protection identified at four US ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. “Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions and because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air,” explained the FDA.

The products originated in Indonesia, and the FDA says that it is working “with CBP to prevent any contaminated products from reaching consumers and is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the root cause of the contamination.” The recall was issued “to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time.”

How do I know if my shrimp has been recalled?

Those who may have purchased the now-recalled seafood will want to check the lot code and the best-by date, which can be found on the back of the product. A total of three lots have been recalled:

If you have purchased a recalled batch, throw it away and do not serve it. Since Walmart has not issued a recall of the product, you may not be entitled to a refund.

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