Health officials have identified traces of a dangerous radioactive isotope in imported frozen shrimp products, prompting an immediate consumer alert to discard potentially affected items.
As reported by Daily Mail Online, the FDA issued a 'do not eat' warning for Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart after discovering Cesium-137 contamination in shipments from Indonesia. The agency confirmed the presence of the isotope in tested samples, leading to the interception of affected lots before they reached store shelves.
Customs and Border Protection agents first detected the radioactive material in containers arriving at four major U.S. ports, including Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. The FDA's subsequent tests verified the contamination in products from Indonesian company BMS Foods, specifically PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, which processes the shrimp.
Radioactive Shrimp Alert Sparks Recall
Evidence points to unsanitary processing or storage conditions in Indonesia as the likely cause of the Cesium-137 contamination, rendering the shrimp unsafe for consumption. The FDA is collaborating with Indonesian seafood regulators to identify the exact source and prevent future incidents.
The affected products include three lots of Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, all bearing a best-by date of March 15, 2027, with contamination confirmed in at least one batch of breaded shrimp. Although all contaminated shipments were stopped from entering the U.S., the agency urges consumers to check their freezers and dispose of any matching items immediately.
While the detected radiation levels fall below official safety limits, regular consumption over time could pose health risks due to the isotope's ability to accumulate in the body. The FDA emphasizes that the warning is precautionary, as no contaminated products have been found in current store inventories based on ongoing testing.
Health Risks from Cesium-137 Exposure
Cesium-137, or Cs-137, acts as an internal radiation source when ingested, dispersing through soft tissues and concentrating in muscles, where it emits beta particles and gamma rays. This prolonged exposure significantly elevates the risk of developing cancer, according to health experts.
Low-level exposure to Cs-137 is widespread in the environment, stemming from nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and 1960s, as noted by the CDC. However, concentrated sources, such as those potentially in contaminated food, present a greater danger if shielding fails or material is released accidentally.
Significant external exposure can lead to severe effects like radiation burns, acute radiation sickness and even death from the isotope's high-energy gamma radiation. Ingested or inhaled, it creates a persistent internal hazard, bombarding tissues and increasing long-term cancer likelihood.
Investigation into Contamination Source
The FDA has instructed distributors and retailers to discard any implicated shrimp products and is tracing the supply chain for PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to gather more details. Consumers who suspect they may have eaten the contaminated shrimp are advised to consult a doctor for potential health monitoring.
While the risk from briefly passing near contaminated containers is low, eating the shrimp compounds the danger by introducing the isotope directly into the body. The agency continues to work with industry partners to ensure all affected items are identified and removed from circulation.
Testing to date shows no contamination in products currently available in stores, but the FDA issued the alert out of an abundance of caution to protect public health. Indonesian authorities are involved in pinpointing how unsanitary conditions led to the radioactive presence in the seafood.
