FDA Health Warning: Frozen Shrimp Sold in Alabama Could Be Contaminated

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting residents across multiple states about specific raw frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, also doing business as BMS Foods, is an Indonesian-based company whose products have been sold at Walmart stores.

The FDA advises the public not to eat, sell, or serve certain imported frozen shrimp from the Indonesian-based company due to the health impacts of cesium exposure.

What is Cesium-137?

According to the FDA, “Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions, and because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air.”

Furthermore, “FDA food monitoring focuses on radioisotopes (radionuclides) that are not normally present and are generally the result of human activities. Any unexpected finding of Cs-137 in a food product is evaluated to determine if follow-up action is warranted on a case-by-case basis.”

In this situation, the FDA was “alerted to the contamination of shipping containers detected by CBP, FDA initiated sampling of products which included five different shrimp products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, one of which was a sample of frozen breaded shrimp.”

FDA ALERT

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

States Impacted

Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Missouri
Mississippi
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Texas
West Virginia

The FDA urges that “If you have recently purchased raw frozen shrimp from Walmart that matches this description, throw it away. Do not eat or serve this product.”

In addition, the FDA said that “if you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium, talk to your healthcare provider.”