The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers who purchased frozen shrimp at Walmart due to the possible presence of the radioactive chemical Cesium-137.

According to the agency, the alert came after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported the detection of the isotope in shipping containers carrying the product from Indonesia. 

 

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The shipments had arrived at the ports of Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami. The FDA clarified that none of the suspicious containers entered the country.

“Although testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in products currently on the market, the shrimp may have been prepared, packed, or stored under unsanitary conditions that could have exposed it to Cs-137, posing a potential health risk,” the FDA stated.

The agency recommended Walmart remove from the market the frozen shrimp products associated with the possible contamination, including:

* Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005540-1, Best by 03/15/2027
* Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005538-1, Best by 03/15/2027
* Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005539-1, Best by 03/15/2027

As the investigation continues, the U.S. has banned all imports from the Indonesian company PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, which does business as BMS Foods.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cesium-137 is a man-made element produced through nuclear reactions and used in medical devices and measuring instruments.

Exposure to high doses can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, and even death.

 

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