ALERT: Radioactive contamination detected in imported shrimp

Published Date :
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2025
Tags :
radioactieve besmetting
import
contaminanten

ALERT: Radioactive contamination detected in imported shrimp

On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers and buyers about frozen shrimp contaminated with radioactive material (Great Value brand, Walmart). The shrimp had been imported from Indonesia.

What was detected:

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected cesium-137 (Cs-137) in multiple containers at the ports of Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Savannah.
  • The FDA confirmed the presence of Cs-137 through laboratory testing, at a level of 68 Bq/kg.
  • This is below the intervention level of 1,250 Bq/kg, but prolonged exposure may still pose health risks, such as DNA damage and cancer.
  • The FDA announced a recall across 13 states and placed the producer on an import alert, temporarily preventing the products from entering the U.S.

What does this mean for you?

Our advice: increase your checks on shrimp and other fish, crustaceans and shellfish from Indonesia. Carefully review import flows, suppliers and lot numbers.