The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled possibly radioactive Walmart-branded packages of frozen shrimp.

The recall was issued for Great Value frozen raw shrimp after a sample of the product tested positive for Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioisotope that is man-made through nuclear reactions. The product is processed at a company in Indonesia. 

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The recalled products are Great Value Frozen Raw White Vannamei Shrimp sold in two-pound bags. 

Walmart said this product was sold at stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.   

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection alerted the FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in shipping containers containing the shrimp. Because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food and air. Products tested and alerted for Cs-137 are denied entry into the U.S. 

Officials said at this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce, which means the shrimp sold in stores before the FDA’s test had not been found positive. 

However, the frozen shrimp appears to have been prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions where it may have become contaminated.

The level of Cs-137 detected in the detained shipment was approximately 68 Bq/kg, which is below FDA’s Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137 of 1200 Bq/kg. 

Though at this level, the product would not pose an acute hazard to consumers, long-term exposure to low-level radiation without proper warning could have health impacts over a long period of time.

The primary health concern through repeated consumption of contaminated food or water over time is an elevated risk of cancer.

The FDA’s investigation is ongoing. The advisory will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Officials advise you to immediately throw away the product if you recently purchased it. Distributors and retailers should have disposed of this product. 

If you suspect you have been exposed to certain levels of cesium, contact your healthcare provider.