The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning advising consumers not to eat certain Great Value frozen shrimp sold at Walmart after potential radioactive contamination was detected.
The FDA says the affected shrimp may contain traces of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The warning follows an investigation into shipping containers from Indonesia, where contamination was discovered. The agency has instructed consumers to immediately dispose of the product and not attempt to cook or serve it.
Great Value frozen shrimp products linked to the warning were distributed through Walmart stores across the United States.
Cesium-137, while not posing an immediate health threat from a single exposure, is linked to long-term cancer risks if ingested in contaminated food.
“Radioactive shrimp” recall details
According to the warning, no product that has tested positive for Cesium-137 has entered the US, but they are recalling the affected lots out of an abundance of caution.
The FDA is working with Walmart to remove the affected products from store shelves. Customers who purchased Great Value frozen shrimp are urged to check the packaging details and discard the items.
The agency has not reported any illnesses connected to the recall but is continuing its investigation.