What happened in the Walmart shrimp recall?
Walmart has issued an urgent recall of its Great Value brand frozen shrimp after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected traces of radioactive material in a shipment. The shrimp, imported from Indonesia, tested positive for Caesium-137, a radioactive isotope linked to nuclear fallout zones like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Although the contaminated sample did not enter U.S. commerce, the FDA warned that three batches sold across 13 states may have been exposed during transit. Consumers are advised to discard any recently purchased shrimp from the affected lots.
Which states are affected by Walmart shrimp recall?
The FDA is warning the public not to eat, sell or serve certain Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart due to possible contamination with radioactive material. @SamChampion reports. pic.twitter.com/EPxWuTzzwf
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 20, 2025
The recalled products were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Walmart has removed the items from store shelves and activated a full refund policy for customers who return the shrimp.
Is radioactive shrimp dangerous to eat?
According to FDA officials, the detected levels of Caesium-137 were not high enough to cause immediate harm. However, prolonged exposure—even in trace amounts—can increase the risk of cancer by damaging living cells. The agency emphasized that while other tested products showed no contamination, the possibility of exposure could not be ruled out entirely.
What is Caesium-137 and how does it contaminate food?
Today, the FDA issued a warning against eating Walmart-branded "Great Value" frozen shrimp because of possible radioactive contamination.
If you need to be told not to eat cheap, farmed shrimp from 3rd world countries, you're an idiot.
Walmart's distributor is BMS Foods. That… pic.twitter.com/M7lw1Tzq3h
— John LeFevre (@JohnLeFevre) August 19, 2025
Caesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions and is commonly found in trace amounts in soil and water. In this case, the isotope may have leaked from shipping containers during transit. The Indonesian supplier involved has since had multiple shipments denied entry into the U.S., pending further investigation.
What is Walmart doing about the shrimp recall?
Walmart stated that “the health and safety of our customers is always a top priority.” The company is working closely with the FDA and its supplier to trace the source of contamination and prevent future incidents. Customers are encouraged to check product labels and consult store staff for assistance.