US Recalls Frozen Shrimp Over Potential Radioactivity Concerns

US health authorities announced on Tuesday a recall of frozen shrimp potentially contaminated with radioactive material.

The seafood, imported from Indonesia, had been distributed by retail giant Walmart across 13 US states, according to a statement on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

The recall follows the detection of the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in shrimp imported through PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, the FDA advisory stated.

The FDA noted that the radioactivity detected was minimal, stating that the product would not pose an acute hazard to consumers.

“No shrimp imported by the company and stocked for sale in US stores has tested positive for radioactivity,” the agency said.

However, the advisory warned that shrimp from the company: “…appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern.

While short-term consumption may not be dangerous, the FDA highlighted that long-term exposure to even low doses of Cesium-137 is associated with an elevated risk of cancer.

The agency has instructed Walmart to conduct a recall of the affected shrimp and advised consumers who have already purchased the product to discard it immediately.

Consumer Guidance

This recall underscores the importance of food safety monitoring and the potential risks associated with imported seafood, even when contamination levels are low.