According to federal health regulators, Walmart has recalled frozen raw shrimp that were sold in 13 states due to the possibility of radioactive contamination.
Following the discovery of the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 in shipping containers and a sample of breaded shrimp imported from Indonesia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that Walmart remove three batches of Great Value brand frozen shrimp from shops.
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According to FDA officials, the items may eventually present a health risk to anyone exposed to low quantities of Cesium-137.
In a statement, FDA authorities advised consumers to discard any uncooked frozen shrimp that fit this description that they may have recently bought from Walmart.
Donald Schaffner, a food safety specialist at Rutgers University, stated that there is very little risk associated with the recalled shrimp.
A byproduct of nuclear reactions, such as those produced by nuclear weapons, tests, reactors, and accidents, is cesium-137. It is present in trace amounts in soil, food, and air and is widely distributed around the planet.
Compared to FDA intervention levels, the level found in the frozen breaded shrimp was significantly lower. Avoiding possibly contaminated products, according to the EPA, could lessen exposure to low-level radiation, which over time may cause health issues.
The FDA is looking into claims of Cesium-137 contamination in products and shipping containers made by P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati, who operates under the name BMS Foods of Indonesia. The FDA was notified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers that they discovered Cesium-137 in shipping containers that were shipped to U.S. ports in Savannah, Georgia, Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles.
After gathering multiple product samples, FDA inspectors found contamination in one frozen breaded shrimp sample. The merchandise and shipping containers were not allowed to enter the United States.
But following the first discovery, the FDA discovered that Walmart had imported possibly contaminated goods from shipments that did not result in contamination notices.
According to a Walmart representative, the goods were recalled right away. Among them are frozen raw shrimp of the Great Value brand, lot numbers 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, all of which have a best-by date of March 15, 2027. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia were among the states where the shrimp were sold. Customers can either return the items to any Walmart location for a refund or throw them away.
___ The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Department of Science Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provide support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. All content is entirely the AP’s responsibility.
