The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, sell, or serve certain lots of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart after detecting contamination concerns linked to an Indonesian supplier, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods).

Key Details:

• Products impacted:
  • Great Value frozen raw shrimp, lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1
  • Best by date: March 15, 2027
• Where sold: Walmart stores nationwide
• What to do: If you purchased shrimp from these lots, throw it away immediately. Do not eat or serve it.

Why the Warning?

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detected Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive contaminant, in shipping containers and shrimp products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati.
• FDA confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one shipment of breaded shrimp at 68 Bq/kg, below the FDA’s intervention threshold but still concerning for long-term health risks with repeated exposure.
• While no contaminated products have been confirmed in U.S. commerce, FDA determined that the shrimp may have been processed or stored under unsanitary conditions that could allow contamination.

Health Risks of Cs-137

• Cs-137 is a man-made radioactive isotope linked to nuclear activity.
• Long-term, repeated exposure—even at low levels—may increase cancer risk due to DNA damage.
• The FDA and CDC stress that avoiding even low-level contaminated foods helps reduce cumulative radiation exposure over time.

FDA Actions

• PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been added to a new import alert for chemical contamination, preventing further shipments from entering the U.S.
• Walmart has been urged to recall affected products.
• FDA continues to investigate in coordination with CBP and Indonesian regulators to trace potentially affected products.

Bottom line: If you bought Great Value frozen raw shrimp with the affected lot codes, do not consume it. Dispose of the product and contact your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about possible exposure