Normally, when you pick up frozen shrimp, the main concern is how to cook it. Now, you need to make sure it’s not radioactive.
On August 19, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) unlocked a new fear for shrimp lovers everywhere. The federal agency issued a public alert that certain raw frozen shrimp products imported from Indonesia and sold at Walmart may have been contaminated with radiation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alerted the FDA that certain shipping containers arriving at U.S. ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami tested positive for Cs-137 (a radioactive isotope). Right now, the FDA and CBP are working to prevent any contaminated frozen shrimp from reaching consumers in the United States.
In its public alert, the FDA says Walmart has received “implicated” raw frozen shrimp, which means the shrimp could be contaminated with Cs-137 and poses a safety concern.
The FDA recommended that Walmart recall its shrimp and is urging shoppers to toss certain packages of Great Value raw frozen shrimp bought at Walmart.
To identify potentially dangerous shrimp, here’s what to look for:
- Product Name: Frozen Raw EZ-Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp
- Product Size: 2-pound bag
- Lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1
- Best By Date: 3/15/2027
This shrimp was sold at Walmart stores in 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
What To Do With Great Value Shrimp
If you have Great Value shrimp with one of the lot codes above, throw the bag out immediately. To ask questions about this contamination issue, consider contacting Walmart directly at 1-800-925-6278, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT, any day of the week.
Sign Up
