Walmart Issues Recall of Potentially Radioactive Shrimp Products Following FDA Alert

The FDA alerted Walmart about contaminated shrimp, prompting the retail giant to recall products linked to possible radioactive exposure. Consumers are urged to return affected items for refunds.

Walmart has taken precautionary measures to recall certain shrimp products after concerns arose regarding radioactive contamination. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning after discovering that some shrimp labeled under Walmart's Great Value brand might contain trace amounts of the dangerous isotope Caesium-137. According to the FDA, while one sample of breaded shrimp tested positive for the radioactive material, it had not entered the US market.

Customers in 13 states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas, are advised to discard any shrimp from three specific batches recently purchased. Walmart emphasized that the safety of its customers is its top priority, stating, "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate." Shoppers can return the recalled shrimp to any Walmart store for a full refund.

The shrimp originated from an Indonesian supplier, which has reportedly faced multiple shipping container rejections by US authorities since the contamination concern arose. The FDA confirmed that the Caesium-137 detected was not at levels that could cause immediate health dangers but warned about the potential long-term risks, including an increased cancer risk from prolonged exposure.

Caesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear fission and can be found in very low levels in the environment; however, it has been linked to significant radiation exposure events in locations such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Although the FDA reported no traces of Caesium-137 in other tested shrimp products, it still urged consumers to approach the situation with caution.