On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urged the public not to eat certain bags of frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart, citing concerns about unsanitary and unsanitary conditions. Radioactive contamination seen in shipments from the same supplier.
The FDA said the radioisotope Cesium 137 was detected in a sample of breaded shrimp detained at US ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah and Miami from an Indonesian supplier named BMS Foods.
These contaminated shipments never reached the US market. However, since Walmart’s raw frozen shrimp came from the same supplier, the agency said “it appears to be prepared, packed or held under unsanitary conditions that could have been contaminated with CS-137,” authorities advised consumers to avoid eating.
The detected levels of cesium (approximately 68 becks per kilogram) were well below the FDA’s intervention level of 1,200 BQ/kg. Still, regulators have issued caution from recommendations, citing long-term low-dose exposure at supplier facilities and potential risks of cancer from issues.
Advisory applies to 2 pounds great value bags of white vannami shrimp carrying the best date March 15th, 2027. They were distributed to Walmart stores in at least 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.
The agency advises consumers to dump shrimp or return them to buy them, saying the investigation is ongoing in collaboration with Indonesia’s seafood regulator.
Walmart confirmed with CNN that it “quickly reminded me of the product from the affected stores.” CNN also contacted the supplier for comment.
