FDA Warns Against Radioactive Indonesian Shrimp at Walmart Across Four US Ports

The FDA has issued a warning and recall for specific batches of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart due to contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope detected in shipments from BMS Foods, an Indonesian company. The contamination was first identified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami, and subsequent FDA testing confirmed Cesium-137 in one shrimp sample. Although no contaminated shrimp has entered the U.S. food supply, the FDA advises consumers not to eat, sell, or serve the affected products and to dispose of any matching lots, which have a best-by date of March 15, 2027. Cesium-137, a byproduct of nuclear fission used in medical devices and nuclear reactors, poses a long-term cancer risk if ingested, as it emits beta particles and gamma radiation that can damage DNA. The FDA is working with Indonesian authorities and has banned all shrimp products from BMS Foods from entering the U.S. until the contamination source and unsanitary conditions are resolved. Consumers and retailers are urged to heed the recall and consult healthcare providers if they suspect exposure.