FDA Warns of Radioactive Shrimp in Walmart Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers after detecting radioactive Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart. The contaminated shrimp, imported from Indonesia’s PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), were distributed across 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive isotope linked to long-term health risks such as cancer, genetic damage, and organ failure. The FDA detected the contamination after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flagged shipping containers at four ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. Testing confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp, though no contaminated products have entered U.S. commerce.
The FDA has recommended a recall of the following Great Value frozen raw shrimp lots:

• Lot code 8005540-1, Best by 3/15/2027
• Lot code 8005538-1, Best by 3/15/2027
• Lot code 8005539-1, Best by 3/15/2027
  Consumers are advised to discard any shrimp matching this description and avoid consumption. The FDA is investigating the root cause of contamination and has added BMS Foods to its import alert list to prevent further shipments. The agency is also collaborating with Indonesian authorities to address the issue and ensure compliance with safety standards.
  This incident underscores the importance of rigorous food safety monitoring to protect public health and prevent the entry of unsafe products into the U.S. market.

Published: 8/19/2025