Walmart Recalls Shrimp Over Cesium-137 Contamination, FDA Investigates

A critical breach in global food supply chain integrity has emerged following the detection of Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a man-made radioactive isotope, in a shipment of frozen shrimp destined for U.S. retail giant Walmart. This discovery has prompted a comprehensive investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), highlighting the persistent challenges in safeguarding imported food products against unforeseen contamination risks.

• Man-made Cesium-137 (Cs-137) detected in frozen shrimp shipments.
• Contaminated product intended for U.S. retail giant Walmart.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched an immediate investigation.
• Indonesian supplier, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), placed on the FDA’s “red list.”
• Walmart initiated a swift recall of the affected shrimp.
• Consumers are advised to discard specific lot codes of Great Value raw frozen shrimp.

Detection and Regulatory Response

The contamination was initially flagged by CBP, which detected Cs-137 in shipping containers and associated frozen shrimp products across four key U.S. ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia. Subsequent radionuclide analysis by FDA officials confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in a sample of breaded shrimp.

Supplier Identification and Prohibition

In response, the supplier, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (also known as BMS Foods), an Indonesian processor, was promptly placed on the FDA’s “red list,” effectively prohibiting its products from entering the U.S. market until the issue is fully resolved. Preliminary assessments suggest the product may have been processed, packed, or held under insanitary conditions, leading to the contamination.

Walmart’s Immediate Action

Following the initial alerts, the FDA issued an import alert for chemical contamination. While Walmart reportedly received certain raw frozen shrimp shipments after the initial detection, which did not trigger Cs-137 alarms, the company acted swiftly. At the FDA’s direction, Walmart initiated an immediate recall of the affected shrimp. A company statement underscored their commitment to customer health and safety, confirming the removal of the product from impacted stores and ongoing collaboration with the supplier to investigate the root cause.

Public Health Advisory and Ongoing Efforts

The FDA is actively coordinating with CBP to prevent any additional contaminated products from reaching consumers, while simultaneously engaging with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to trace the contamination’s origin. Consumers are advised to discard Great Value raw frozen shrimp from Walmart bearing lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1. Cesium-137, a byproduct of nuclear reactions, exists in trace environmental amounts, but any unexpected presence in food triggers a rigorous, case-by-case evaluation by the FDA to determine necessary follow-up actions. The agency continues its efforts to track all products associated with BMS Foods through the supply chain to ensure public safety.

Broader Implications

The incident underscores the complexities of global supply chain oversight and the vigilance required by regulatory bodies to protect public health against both conventional and unusual contaminants. As of recent market close, Walmart Inc. (WMT) stock was trading at 101.32, reflecting a 0.64% increase, indicating the immediate market reaction to the recall may have been contained, but the broader implications for supply chain trust remain a subject of ongoing scrutiny.