Walmart frozen shrimps could be radioactive, warns USFDA. Know which packs to avoid and what to do if you already bought them

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert urging consumers not to eat, sell, or serve certain batches of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart. The warning, released on August 19, 2025, comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detected Cesium-137 — a radioactive isotope — in shipping containers linked to Indonesia’s BMS Foods, the supplier of the affected products.

Although the FDA clarified that no contaminated shrimp has entered the U.S. food supply, precautionary measures are being taken. The agency has recommended a recall of all Great Value frozen shrimp imported from BMS Foods after the positive tests.

The specific products under scrutiny include:


Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005540-1, Best by 3/15/2027
Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005538-1, Best by 3/15/2027
Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot code 8005539-1, Best by 3/15/2027

“If you have recently purchased frozen raw shrimp from Walmart matching these codes, discard it immediately,” the FDA stated. Retailers and distributors have also been advised to remove the products from their shelves.

The FDA explained that shrimp from BMS Foods violates the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act because it may have been prepared or stored under unsanitary conditions, potentially exposing it to Cesium-137. As a result, all future shipments from the company are banned until safety concerns are addressed.

Cesium-137, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a silvery-white metal that can form into a crystalline powder. Exposure to high levels can lead to radiation burns, acute radiation sickness, and even death.

The FDA emphasized that the recall is preventive but urged consumers to remain cautious. Those who have already purchased the listed shrimp should not attempt to cook or wash it to “remove contamination” — instead, it must be safely discarded.