Walmart has always been an excellent place for buying some frozen food staples, including frozen meats and proteins. However, one of their more popular items, their frozen shrimp, is being recalled for a reason you’ve likely never heard of before.
The Food and Drug Administration and Walmart recently released a statement that they’re recalling numerous bags of their Great Value frozen shrimp, due to some of their shipping containers testing positive for a contaminant that is considered “radioactive.” The FDA was reportedly alerted to the presence of the contaminant by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection after they discovered it while testing their shipping containers in U.S. ports. Since the recall was first announced, Walmart customers were warned against purchasing specific packages of frozen Great Value shrimp that fall under the affected packaging. Read more about the radioactive shrimp issue below.
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The FDA Recalls Packages Of Raw Frozen Shrimp After Some Tested Positive For A 'Radioactive' Contaminant
Over the last week, the internet and shrimp eaters across the United States have been reeling at the news that the Food and Drug Administration and a distributor, Indonesia's BMS Foods, began recalling numerous packages and brands of frozen shrimp. After shipping containers of frozen shrimp were tested directly from their distributor, some tested positive for the "radioactive isotope" Cesium-137, which, according to the FDA's press statement, is "a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions and because it is widespread worldwide."
"Trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air," they continued.
The shipments of shrimp that tested positive for Cs-137 were quickly detained, and thankfully, only ended up testing positive for "approximately 68 Bq/kg," which they write "would not pose an acute hazard to consumers."
According to the information on the isotope they shared, Cs-137 primarily poses a risk for those who are continually exposed to it over time.
The FDA Cautions Walmart Customers Before Purchasing And Eating Great Value Shrimp
Although according to their statement, the FDA noted that none of the Cs-137-positive shrimp packages seemed to have entered the U.S. food supply, since frozen shrimp from the same distributor were shipped across 13 states, including Alabama, Pennsylvania, and more, they are encouraging customers to take caution before buying or eating them. As of right now, BMS Foods has been placed on the FDA's 'red list' for violating the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act.
Packages of Great Value frozen shrimp sold in Walmart stores across the country could "potentially" be contaminated, so to be extra safe, the FDA is encouraging customers to discard the packages they may have bought, especially if they have lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1 on the packaging.
Recalled packages would also have an expiration date of March 15, 2027. The affected products include 'Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp (Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp),' which is also labeled as 'Frozen Raw EZ Peel Tail-On.'
"If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away," wrote the FDA in a statement. "No implicated shrimp products will enter U.S. commerce until the company resolves the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation."
