Walmart is recalling frozen shrimp products potentially contaminated with radioactive Caesium-137, urging customers in 13 states to discard specific batches post-FDA alert.
Walmart Urges Customers to Bin Shrimp Products Due to Radioactive Concerns
Walmart Urges Customers to Bin Shrimp Products Due to Radioactive Concerns
Recent tests reveal trace amounts of radioactive material in frozen shrimp, prompting urgent recalls and health advisories.
In a startling health advisory, Walmart has announced a recall of certain frozen shrimp products across the United States after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected radioactive material in a shipment of seafood. The shrimp, sold under Walmart's Great Value label, may have been exposed to a hazardous isotope during shipping, raising alarms among health officials.
The FDA warned consumers against eating the potentially contaminated frozen shrimp. A single sample of breaded shrimp tested positive for Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope. Fortunately, this particular shrimp sample did not reach US markets, nonetheless, Walmart is taking proactive measures by urging shoppers to dispose of any shrimp purchased from three specific batches.
Affected customers are advised to return the products to their nearest Walmart for a full refund. The recall spans stores in 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. The shrimp in question originated from an Indonesian supplier that has since faced restrictions on several shipping containers entering the US, according to FDA officials.
While the quantity of Caesium-137 detected was not deemed high enough to cause immediate harm, health experts warn that prolonged exposure could increase cancer risks by damaging cells over time. Caesium-137 is generated from nuclear reactions and can be found in minute amounts in various natural settings, yet it is notably linked to radiation incidents at sites such as Chernobyl and Fukushima.
The FDA has disclosed that no traces of Caesium-137 have been found in other shrimp products evaluated, though they continue to monitor the situation cautiously. As a significant retailer, Walmart is emphasizing its commitment to customer safety and is taking steps to collaborate with its suppliers to investigate and resolve the issue comprehensively.
