Walmart has announced a recall of shrimp products due to possible radioactive contamination, prompting an urgent warning from the FDA and an advisory for consumers across 13 states.
Walmart Issues Urgent Recall of Shrimp Products Amid Radioactive Concerns
Walmart Issues Urgent Recall of Shrimp Products Amid Radioactive Concerns
Frozen shrimp may contain hazardous isotope, FDA warns consumers
Walmart has recently taken action to recall certain shrimp products distributed in the United States after it was discovered that radioactive material was present in a shipment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that frozen shrimp sold under Walmart's Great Value brand could have been exposed to a hazardous isotope during shipping. Although a sample of the breaded shrimp tested positive for this substance, the FDA confirmed that the affected product "did not enter US commerce."
In response to this potential health risk, consumers in 13 states where the shrimp products are sold have been instructed to discard recently purchased shrimp from three specific batches. A spokesperson for Walmart emphasized the importance of customer health and safety, stating, "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate."
For those who purchased the recalled shrimp, Walmart is offering full refunds at any of its locations. The shrimp in question was sourced from an Indonesian supplier, which has already faced multiple shipping container denials from the U.S., according to the FDA. Notably, one of the shipments was found to have traces of Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope. While the amount detected was deemed insufficient to cause immediate harm, health officials cautioned that prolonged exposure could elevate the risk of cancer, as it may damage living cells in the body.
Caesium-137 is produced through nuclear reactions and is often found in minute quantities in the environment, including soil and food globally. It played a key role in the radiation fallout following disasters such as Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan. The FDA has reported that no Caesium-137 has been discovered in other shrimp products tested; however, they continue to advise caution as the risk of contamination cannot be completely ruled out.
In response to this potential health risk, consumers in 13 states where the shrimp products are sold have been instructed to discard recently purchased shrimp from three specific batches. A spokesperson for Walmart emphasized the importance of customer health and safety, stating, "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate."
For those who purchased the recalled shrimp, Walmart is offering full refunds at any of its locations. The shrimp in question was sourced from an Indonesian supplier, which has already faced multiple shipping container denials from the U.S., according to the FDA. Notably, one of the shipments was found to have traces of Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope. While the amount detected was deemed insufficient to cause immediate harm, health officials cautioned that prolonged exposure could elevate the risk of cancer, as it may damage living cells in the body.
Caesium-137 is produced through nuclear reactions and is often found in minute quantities in the environment, including soil and food globally. It played a key role in the radiation fallout following disasters such as Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan. The FDA has reported that no Caesium-137 has been discovered in other shrimp products tested; however, they continue to advise caution as the risk of contamination cannot be completely ruled out.
