The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has recently issued a warning informing consumers not to eat the frozen shrimp being sold at Walmart. The FDA Recalls Walmart Shrimp on August 19, 2025, mentioning that the shrimp at Walmart might be contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137).
What Is Cesium-137?
Cesium-137, also known as Cs-137, is a radioactive isotope that is produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission in reactors and during the testing of nuclear weapons. It emits beta particles and strong gamma radiation, which are very dangerous for human beings.
If it is consumed through food or water, it can cause health hazards like cancer, bone marrow damage, muscular disorders, etc. It can even contaminate soil, water, and marine life, which is why the presence of Cs-137 in Shrimp is alarming.
Why The FDA Is Warning About Walmart’s Frozen Shrimp?
The FDA says that the shrimp at Walmart could be contaminated with a radioactive isotope called Cesium-137. Although the FDA said that no products have tested positive for it as of yet.
The agency said it issued the warning about Walmart’s Great Value shrimp after it had detected Cesium-137 in a single shipment of frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati.
The Lot Codes And Brands To Watch For Shrimp Products That Are Affected
The FDA has identified and warned about the Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp being sold at Walmart. These shrimps were exported from Indonesia and were made by the company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods).
The shrimp under speculation have lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1. The best-before date is March 15, 2027.
Please Note – So far, no radioactive shrimp have been found in the U.S. stores. The products have been under suspicion due to possible contamination with Cesium-137.
The FDA Recalls Walmart Shrimp 2025
The Walmart shrimp recall was quick and widespread. The retailer immediately instructed the local stores across 13 states to stop selling the suspected shrimps. The states this recall was active in are Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and others.
It was also instructed that the people who have bought these shrimp products can return them to the stores and get a full refund on the same.
Guidelines For Customers
If you have bought the product, you should immediately do the following:
- Do Not Panic: Panicking will do no good and only make it more problematic for you and your family. So, you should calm down and follow the next steps.
- Stop Consuming The Shrimp: You should not eat it, although it looks, smells, and tastes normal, as radioactive contaminants cannot be detected
- See The Doctor: If by chance you have consumed the suspected shrimp, then you must immediately go to see a doctor who can check it thoroughly.
- Check The Packaging Details: Check the packaging of the shrimp and see if it says “Great Value Shrimp” or any that is mentioned in the recall notice. Check the batch codes, best before dates, etc.
- Return It: Do not try disposing of it yourself, as Cs-137 can cause a lot of harm in nature if not disposed of properly. If not humans, it can impact soil, water, and other creatures.
- Stay Up to Date: Keep checking the FDA’s website or Walmart’s official announcements on the recall.
Final Thoughts
To give you some relief, I would like to inform you that the investigations are currently going on. FDA and Walmart both have been taking incremental steps in this matter.
Until then, you should stay careful, keep checking their shrimp packages, and follow FDS’s guidelines to ensure the safety of you and your family. Also, spread among people around and keep them informed.
