FDA Investigates Radioactive Shrimp Recalled by Walmart

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) of Indonesia.

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) alerted FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers at four U.S. ports (Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami). FDA collected multiple samples for radionuclide analysis, with results confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.

All containers and product testing positive or alerting for Cs-137 have been denied entry into the country. The agency continues to coordinate 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.

Although testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product in commerce, the product appears to have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions, said FDA, whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.

To date, FDA has learned that Walmart has received implicated raw frozen shrimp, imported after the date of first detection of Cs-137 by CBP, but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137. FDA has recommended Walmart recall this product.

Consumers should not eat or serve certain lots of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia:

• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027
• Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027.

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions. Because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food and air, said FDA. The agency's food monitoring focuses on radioisotopes (radionuclides) that are not normally present and are generally the result of human activities.

FDA said it will continue working with industry to trace all implicated products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati through the supply chain to gather as much information about them as possible and take action as appropriate. Product information will be added to this advisory as it becomes available.