Frozen Shrimp, Including Walmart’s Great Value, Recalled for Potential Radioactive Contamination

If you’ve ever thought, “Frozen shrimp is my dependable, low-drama dinner plan,” the last thing you expected was the phrase
“potential radioactive contamination” showing up like an uninvited guest at your shrimp scampi party.
But in late summer 2025, that’s exactly what happened: multiple frozen shrimp productsmost notably Walmart’s Great Valuewere recalled
after federal officials raised concerns tied to the radioactive isotope cesium-137 (Cs-137).

Before anyone panic-cleans their freezer like it’s a crime scene: this recall has been described as precautionary, and reports at the time said
no illnesses had been linked to the affected products. Still, recalls exist for a reason. The smart move is to understand what was recalled,
how to identify it, what “radioactive contamination” really means in this context, and what to do nextwithout turning your kitchen into a
low-budget science-fiction set.

What’s Actually Being Recalled (and Why People Care)

The recall that grabbed the most attention involved Walmart’s store brand: Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp.
A Florida-based company, Beaver Street Fisheries, issued a voluntary recall in August 2025 as a precaution following an FDA advisory related to Cs-137.
The core concern wasn’t that consumers could “taste radiation” (you can’t), but that the product may have been prepared, packed, or held in conditions
where contamination could have occurred.

Key Great Value product details to look for

• Product: Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp EZ-Peel & Deveined Tail-On (21–25 per lb)
• UPC: 078742133898
• Lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1
• Best-by date: 3/15/2027
• Where/when sold: Select Walmart stores in
  AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, WV (sold roughly late July to early August 2025)

The Great Value recall wasn’t the only one. Other brands and distributors also issued recalls tied to the same overall concern, including products sold
under names like Sand Bar, Arctic Shores, Best Yet, Great American, and First Streetsome raw, some cooked, with different package sizes and UPC/lot codes.
In other words: it wasn’t “one bag in one freezer.” It was a multi-brand situation tied to a specific supply chain and import investigation.

The “Radioactive” Part, Explained Without the Sci-Fi Soundtrack

Let’s translate the scary headline into plain English. Cesium-137 (Cs-137) is a radioactive isotope created by nuclear fission.
It isn’t something you want showing up in food, even at low levels, because repeated exposure over time can increase cancer risk.
Cs-137 can expose the body through gamma radiation and, if ingested, can distribute through soft tissues.

Here’s the key nuance: the FDA’s actions in 2025 repeatedly emphasized that the recall recommendations were precautionary.
In the FDA’s detailed public explanations, the agency described situations where Cs-137 was detected in a detained shipment and in the broader import context,
while also noting that products that tested positive or “alerted” for Cs-137 were not supposed to enter the U.S. marketplace at that time.
Even so, the FDA advised recalls for some products because they could have been exposed under conditions suggesting a safety concernespecially if someone were
repeatedly exposed over the long term.

What does a “low level” mean here?

Radiation measurements can get technical fast, so here’s the short version: one unit often used is the becquerel (Bq), which measures
radioactive decay events per second. Food contamination is often discussed as Bq per kilogram (Bq/kg). The FDA has a Derived Intervention Level
for Cs-137 in food, and information released during the 2025 investigation described detected levels that were far below that thresholdyet still abnormal enough
to trigger heightened scrutiny, import controls, and recalls meant to reduce avoidable exposure.

Bottom line: this wasn’t framed as an “instant harm” scenario for most people. It was treated as a “don’t add unnecessary exposure to your life” scenarioespecially
with a product people may eat repeatedly over months.

How the Concern Was Detected: Ports, Screening, and a Very Unpopular Shipping Container

This story is also a reminder that food safety isn’t only about kitchens and restaurantsit starts long before the grocery freezer aisle.
In 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the FDA increased attention on certain imported products after Cs-137 was detected in the import environment
(including shipping containers and sampling).

Once the FDA believed a specific foreign firm’s products appeared to present a potential risk, it used a powerful enforcement tool:
an Import Alert. Import alerts allow FDA to detain products without physical examination when evidence suggests a violation.
During the 2025 situation, FDA’s actions included placing the relevant firm on an import alert list and increasing screening to prevent future potentially affected
shipments from entering U.S. commerce.

Why this matters for shoppers

Even with strong screening, food systems are huge. Products can be distributed widely and quickly. That’s why recalls aren’t rareand why you’ll sometimes see a recall
even when risk is described as “low.” The goal is to reduce exposure and prevent uncertainty from turning into a bigger problem.

What To Do If You Bought the Recalled Shrimp

If you have shrimp in your freezer and you’re now staring at it like it owes you money, here’s a calm, practical approach.

Step-by-step checklist

1. Do a label check: Find the brand, product name, UPC, lot code, and best-by date on the bag.
2. Match it to the recall information:
   For Great Value, focus on UPC 078742133898 and lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1 (best-by 3/15/2027).
3. Don’t eat it: Even if it “smells fine.” Radiation isn’t a sniff-test kind of problem.
4. Return or dispose: Follow the retailer’s refund instructions, or safely discard it.
5. Clean up smartly: Wash hands after handling the bag. If the bag leaked, wipe the freezer area and discard paper towels.
6. Keep the packaging (temporarily): If returning, you’ll want the lot code/UPC visible. A quick photo helps too.

What if you already ate some?

The most important thing is not to spiral. Public updates around this recall emphasized that no illnesses had been reported at the time and that the concern centered on
reducing long-term exposure risk. If you ate shrimp from the recalled lots and feel worried, consider calling your healthcare provider for individualized guidance.
For most people, a one-time meal is unlikely to be the kind of exposure scenario that causes immediate symptomsthis isn’t like food poisoning where you’ll know fast.

For Restaurants and Retailers: “Quarantine First, Shrimp Cocktail Later”

Businesses handling food recalls should move quickly and document everything. A good playbook includes:

• Pull affected inventory immediately and separate it from saleable products.
• Hold and label it so it doesn’t accidentally get used during a rush.
• Check invoices and lot codes to identify any affected shipments.
• Notify staff in plain language: what it is, what to do, what not to do.
• Follow supplier and regulator instructions for refunds, disposal, and documentation.

And yes, it’s okay to say it out loud in the staff meeting:
“No, cooking does not ‘burn off’ radioactivity.” Heat helps with bacteria. It doesn’t rewrite physics.

Why This Recall Felt Different (and What It Says About Food Supply Chains)

Most seafood recalls involve things people have heard of: salmonella, listeria, undeclared allergens. Radiation is different because it sounds dramatic, mysterious,
andlet’s be honestlike it should come with ominous background music.

But the real lesson is surprisingly practical: modern food safety depends on detection, traceability, and fast action.
The 2025 situation pushed regulators toward stronger controls, including measures requiring additional assurances for certain imported products.
When agencies tighten import requirements, they’re trying to keep trade flowing while reducing risk for consumersespecially for foods that are imported in high volume.

How to Keep Shrimp on the MenuSafely and Confidently

You don’t need to swear off shrimp forever. You just need a smarter system for staying informed.

Simple habits that help

• Save packaging for a week: Especially if you buy bulk frozen seafood. Lot codes matter.
• Set a monthly “recall check” reminder: It takes two minutes and can save you real hassle.
• Buy from retailers with strong recall response: Fast shelf removal and clear refund instructions are a good sign.
• Cook shrimp safely: Separate raw seafood from ready-to-eat foods, and cook properly to reduce microbial risks (a separate issue from radiation).

FAQ: Quick Answers to the Questions Everyone Asks

Can you see, smell, or taste cesium-137 contamination?

No. If there’s any contamination, you won’t detect it with your senses. That’s why recalls rely on testing and traceability.

Does cooking remove radiation?

No. Cooking can kill microbes, but it doesn’t remove radioactive isotopes. Follow the recall instructions instead of trying kitchen “hacks.”

Is this the same as food poisoning?

No. Food poisoning typically causes symptoms quickly. The concerns discussed for Cs-137 are about reducing potential long-term exposure risk, not immediate stomach trouble.

Should I be worried if I ate shrimp months ago?

Most people shouldn’t panic. The recall messaging emphasized precaution and long-term exposure reduction. If you’re concerned, talk to a healthcare professional for personal advice.

Conclusion: Calm Steps Beat Scary Headlines

A frozen shrimp recall involving “potential radioactive contamination” is the kind of headline that makes anyone pause mid-dinner plan.
But the practical response is straightforward: identify the product, follow recall instructions, and move on with better awarenessnot fear.

The 2025 shrimp recalls highlighted how quickly food can move through global supply chainsand how regulators and retailers respond when something unusual is detected.
The best consumer strategy is equal parts calm and organized: check lot codes, keep packaging long enough to verify details, and treat recalls as what they are:
a safety system doing its job, even when the words used sound like they belong in a superhero origin story.

Real-Life Experiences & Lessons from the “Radioactive Shrimp” Moment (About )

The most common “experience” people described during this recall wasn’t a symptomit was a feeling: that slow, suspicious stare into the freezer as you try to remember
whether the shrimp you bought on a random Tuesday was the “EZ-peel tail-on” bag or the “peeled tail-off” one. Suddenly, everyone becomes a label detective. Folks who
normally ignore lot codes like they’re ancient runes found themselves holding a bag up to the light, squinting at tiny numbers, and thinking,
“So this is what adulthood is: reading UPCs instead of enjoying shrimp tacos.”

Another relatable moment: the “I already threw out the receipt” panic. In practice, many shoppers learn a useful tricktake a quick photo of the front and back of the
bag (including lot code and best-by date) before you toss anything. A photo makes refunds and customer service conversations simpler, and it keeps you from playing
Memory Olympics with your grocery history.

For some households, the recall became an unexpected family lesson in media literacy. A headline with the word “radioactive” can trigger instant doom-scrolling,
but people who slowed down and read official recall details came away with a more balanced view: the issue was treated as precautionary, tied to a specific supply
chain and conditions that could lead to contamination, and focused on minimizing long-term risk. The experience many people shared wasn’t “panic,” but “okay, I can
handle this”because they had concrete steps to follow.

Retail workers and food service teams had their own version of the experience: rapid response. When a recall notice hits, staff may need to pull product from shelves,
check back-room inventory, and verify lot codes fastoften while customers are asking questions in real time. The recall becomes a test of store organization:
good signage, clear scripts for staff (“Here’s what’s affected, here’s what to do”), and a smooth refund process can turn a stressful moment into a trust-building one.

And then there’s the long-term behavior change that sneaks in. After a recall like this, many shoppers start doing small things differently:
keeping frozen seafood packaging for a little longer, organizing the freezer so items are easier to identify, and checking recall updates more regularly.
It’s not paranoiait’s a practical upgrade. The real lesson from the “radioactive shrimp” moment is that food safety is often about systems, not drama.
When a system works, it looks like this: detection, investigation, recall, consumer action, and better controls going forward. Not glamorousbut effective.

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