Agency alerts over radioactive shrimp discovered in Walmart supply chain
Walmart Recalls Great Value Frozen Shrimp Over Potential Radioactive Contamination
In a rare move, Walmart has recalled certain lots of its Great Value frozen raw shrimp due to potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The affected shrimp were imported from Indonesian company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and sold under the Great Value brand.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about this product and provided the following lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1. These codes are associated with the Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp EZ-Peel & Deveined Tail-On 21-25 per lb, which has a UPC of 078742133898 and a best-by date of 3/15/2027.
The affected shrimp were distributed in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. They were available in select Walmart stores between July 28, 2025, and August 7, 2025.
The FDA has not yet found Cesium-137 in any currently available shrimp, but the recall was issued as a precaution after detection of the isotope in shipping containers at multiple U.S. ports. Walmart has removed the product from impacted stores and is cooperating with investigations.
Cesium-137, produced by nuclear fission and found in reactors and weapons testing, has medical applications but long-term exposure to low levels raises cancer risks by damaging DNA. At this level, the product does not pose an acute hazard to consumers, but avoiding even low-dose exposure helps reduce potential long-term health risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency has identified Cesium-137 as the possible isotope in the contaminated shrimp. The FDA has detected Cesium-137 in one shipment from the supplier, although that batch did not enter U.S. commerce. The levels of Cesium-137 detected, around 68 Bq/kg, fall below the "level of concern" threshold of 1200 Bq/kg.
For consumer assistance, Beaver Street Fisheries LLC (the distributor) provided a contact at +1-904-354-8533, Monday–Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM EST. Buyers are advised to throw away or return affected products, and distributors and retailers are advised to dispose of the product and not sell or serve it.
As of now, Walmart has not yet responded to the situation. Consumers are encouraged to check the lot codes on their Great Value frozen raw shrimp and refrain from consumption if their product matches the affected lots.
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