Like many parents, I rely on frozen foods to feed my family throughout the week. They’re often an easy, budget-friendly way to throw together a quick weeknight dinner. So you better believe I checked my freezer to see if my package of frozen shrimp was part of the latest food recall. It wasn’t (thankfully), but many recent food recalls have made consumers wary of everything from lunch meat and frozen waffles to cucumbers, but it’s rare to see the warning the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued for frozen shrimp sold at Walmart and now other retailers: potential radioactive contamination.
While no on-shelf frozen shrimp have tested positive for radiation, the recall was issued out of an abundance of caution after the FDA detected Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in a single shipment of imported breaded frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati. But that shipment did not enter U.S. commerce, according to the report. Additionally, the product tested had a low level of radiation below what would cause an “acute hazard to consumers,” reported the FDA.
Even though there was no detectable radioactive Cs-137 in the other products tested, this does not rule out contamination. So the FDA is “advising the public not to eat, sell, or serve” certain frozen shrimp as the investigation continues. Here’s everything you need to know about the frozen shrimp recall at Walmart and other stores.
Which frozen shrimp are being recalled at Walmart?
According to the FDA’s recall alert, the affected two pound packages of Great Value Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp sold at Walmart are as follows:
- 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 affected by the Walmart frozen shrimp recall
The recall affects “certain raw frozen shrimp products processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods), a company located in Indonesia, and sold at Walmart stores in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, and WV,” according to the FDA report.
Which frozen shrimp are being recalled at other retailers?
On August 21, Southwind Foods, LLC, recalled additional brands of frozen shrimp due to possible cesium contamination as well. Additional photos of the recalled products can be found in the FDA report here.
| Item Number | Item Description | UPC | Lot Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08890 | FROZEN RAW SHRIMP 31/40 SAND BAR 2LB BAG | 011110641182 | 087305 |
| 06350 | FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP 31/40 BEST YET 1LB BAG | 042187002736 | 095944 |
| 06350 | FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP 31/40 BEST YET 1 LB BAG | 042187002736 | 111154 |
| 06062 | FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP 41/50 BESY YET 1LB BAG | 042187002743 | 095946 |
| 08224 | FROZEN LARGE COOKED SHRIMP 31/40 ARTIC SHORES 1LB BAG | 041130812392 | 109562 |
| 08127 | FROZEN SMALL COOKED SHRIMP 61/70 ARTIC SHORES 1LB BAG | 041130810497 | 109540 |
| 08128 | FROZEN SMALL COOKED SHRIMP 91/120 WHITE ARCTIC SHORES 12OZ BAG | 041130810411 | 109541 |
| 08129 | FROZEN COOKED SALAD SHRIMP 150-200 ARCTIC SHORES 6OZ BAG | 041130811685 | 109542 |
| 06021 | FROZEN RAW SHRIMP 16/20 GREAT AMERICAN 2LB BAG | 829944010612 | 125143 |
| 06171 | FROZEN RAW SHRIMP 16/20 FIRST STREET 2LB BAG | 041512179471 | 130632 |
| 06102 | FROZEN RAW SHRIMP 71/90 GREAT AMERICAN 2LB BAG | 829944010698 | 128267 |
| 08523 | FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP MEAT GREAT AMERICAN 1LB BAG | 829944092540 | 134010 |
| 06812 | FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP 41/60 GREAT AMERICAN 2LB BAG | 829944012173 | 128275 |
States affected by the Southwind Foods frozen shrimp recall
According to the updated FDA report, “the bagged, frozen shrimp product was distributed between July 17–August 8, 2025 to retailers, distributors, and wholesalers in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, MA, MN, PA, UT, VA, and WA.”
What should you do if you have the recalled frozen shrimp?
If you find the recalled frozen shrimp in your freezer, the agency advises you to throw it away or return it to the store for a refund. Additionally, if you suspect you have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium, talk to a healthcare provider.
What is the risk of consuming radioactive shrimp?
Wow, I never thought I’d type that sentence. But here we are. In the simplest terms, because humans can be exposed to other low-levels of radiation in the environment or through medical procedures (i.e. x-rays,) the FDA aims to “reduce exposure to low-level radiation (i.e. the shrimp) that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time.”
What is Cs-137?
The FDA report shared that, “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. 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.” Obviously in this case, the FDA deemed it warranted for the shrimp recall.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
