Walmart collected frozen raw shrimps sold in 13 US states after federal health officials warned of possible radioactive contamination.
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked Walmart to remove three lots of frozen shrimp from the Great Value brand after federal authorities detects cesium-137-a radioactive isotope-in transport containers and a sample of breaded Indonesia breaded shrimps.
According to FDA, products could represent a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of cesium-137 over time.
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“If you recently bought frozen raw shrimp at Walmart that fits this description, throw it away,” FDA officials said in a statement.
The risk associated with the gathered shrimp is “quite low,” said Donald Schaffner, a food security expert at Rutgers University.
Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including atomic bombs, testing, reactor operations and accidents. It is widely present in the world, in small quantities found in the soil, food and air.
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The level detected in frozen breaded shrimp was well below FDA intervention limits. However, the agency stressed that avoiding potentially contaminated products can reduce exposure to low intensity radiation, which over time can lead to health problems.
The FDA is investigating reports of contamination by cesium-137 in transport containers and products processed by PT Bahari Makmur, which acts as BMS Foods from Indonesia. Authorities of US customs and border protection warned FDA after finding cesium-137 in containers sent to US ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Savannah, Georgia.
The FDA collected several product samples and detected contamination in one of them, with frozen breaded shrimp. The containers and products were barred at the US entrance.
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However, the agency later found that Walmart had received potentially affected products, imported after the first detection, from remittances that did not drive contamination alerts.
Walmart immediately recalled the products, said a spokesman for the company. They include Great Value’s frozen raw shrimp, with the 8005540-1 lot codes, 8005538-1 and 8005539-1, all valid until March 15, 2027.
The shrimps were sold in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Western Virginia. Consumers should discard products or return them to any Walmart store for reimbursement. (With information from AP)
