Potentially radioactive shrimp recalled at Walmarts in a dozen states
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Shrimp are displayed for sale at a street market stall in Brazil. (Photo: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)
The Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday against eating certain brands of shrimp because they might be, uh, radioactive.
Why it matters: This is not your chance to develop amazing crustacean-based superpowers. Any prolonged exposure to radiation could cause sickness or even death.
Driving the news: The FDA said Tuesday that certain types of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart may be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection initially told the FDA that Cesium-137 had been detected in containers at four different U.S. ports, the FDA said.
- The FDA then found the isotope in one sample of breaded shrimp.
- Indonesia's BMS Foods allegedly violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA said, because the product "appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern."
Yes, but: No shrimp that tested positive for the radioactive isotope have entered the U.S. commerce supply, according to the FDA.
- All products from BMS are banned "from coming into the U.S. until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation," the FDA said.
Worth noting: The FDA oversees safety of both domestic and imported seafood. The agency seeks out any immediate or potential threats when assessing products for safety.
Which Walmart shrimp products are radioactive?
Zoom in: The FDA shared three Great Value products that should not be shared, eaten or served to others:
- Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027
- Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027
- Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027
Context: These were sold at stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia, according to the FDA.
- Walmart told Axios in an email Tuesday that it recalled the product from impacted stores and customers who purchased the shrimp are eligible for a full refund.
- "The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority," Kelly Hellbusch, a Walmart spokesperson, said in a statement. "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate."
Symptoms of radiation from shrimp, Cesium-137
The FDA said the amount of Cesium-137 found in the shipment was low enough that it "would not pose an acute hazard to consumers."
- However, the warning "is a measure intended to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time," the FDA said.
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ingesting Cesium-137 can increase the risk of cancer.
What to do with recalled Walmart shrimp
What's next: The FDA said customers should throw away any impacted products. Distributors should similarly dispose of the product.
- If you're worried about exposure, contact your healthcare provider.
