*The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers against eating select packages of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart, citing potential contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.
According to the agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged Cesium-137 in shipping containers at Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah ports. Although a sample of breaded shrimp tested positive, the FDA confirmed, “no shrimp that has tested positive for Cesium-137 has entered the U.S. food supply.” Still, concerns about processing conditions prompted a recall recommendation, ABC News reports.
The shrimp products affected by the alert include: Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027. Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027. Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027.
These were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. The FDA advises consumers, retailers, and distributors to discard these products immediately.
“If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away,” the FDA stated .
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The agency added it is working with distributors and retailers tied to BMS Foods “to recommend that firms conduct a recall.”
Officials also determined the products violated the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act “in that it appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.”
All imports from BMS Foods are now blocked from entering the U.S. until the company resolves the issues flagged by regulators.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that Cesium-137 exposure in large amounts can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, and even death.
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