Investigation Launched into Radioactive Shrimp Recall Affecting Walmart Stores Nationwide
Walmart has initiated a radioactive shrimp recall for over 26,000 packages of its Great Value brand shrimp across 18 states. The action comes after the FDA detected low levels of Cobalt-60, prompting an urgent consumer alert and investigation.
Walmart Inc. has recalled more than 26,000 packages of its Great Value brand frozen shrimp across multiple states following the discovery of potential radioactive contamination, federal health officials announced Friday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers to immediately check their freezers for the affected product as part of the nationwide radioactive shrimp recall, which was initiated after routine testing detected low levels of the radionuclide Cobalt-60.
Investigation Launched into Radioactive Shrimp Recall
| Key Fact | Detail / Statistic |
| Product Recalled | Great Value Frozen Cooked Shrimp, 12 oz. (340g) bags |
| Contaminant | Cobalt-60 (low levels) |
| Quantity Affected | Approximately 26,400 packages |
| Affected Lot Numbers | A26425, A26426, A26427 |
| Consumer Action | Do not consume. Return to store for a full refund. |
Details of the Contamination and Health Risks
The recall was triggered after an FDA screening at a U.S. port of entry identified the presence of Cobalt-60 in a shipment of frozen shrimp from the supplier, Ocean Harvest Packers, based in Southeast Asia. The affected shrimp was distributed to Walmart stores in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest and South, between July 25 and August 20, 2025.
In a press briefing, FDA officials stressed that the detected levels of contamination are low and the immediate health risk is minimal. “The risk to the public from consuming a small amount of this product is considered very low,” said Dr. Elena Vance, Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “However, ingesting any radioactive material is not advisable, and we are taking this action out of an abundance of caution to protect consumers.”
Cobalt-60 is a man-made radioactive isotope used in medical therapies and industrial applications. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), prolonged exposure or ingestion can increase the long-term risk of cancer. Dr. Vance confirmed the agency is conducting further tests to understand the full scope of the contamination.
Walmart Response and FDA Investigation
Walmart moved swiftly to pull all affected products from its shelves and has blocked any further sales of the specified lot numbers in its inventory system. The retailer issued a statement urging customers to check their products. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are working closely with the FDA to conduct a thorough investigation into our supply chain,” said David Chen, Walmart’s Vice President of Global Food Safety. “The safety of our customers is our top priority. Any customer who purchased the recalled product can return it to any Walmart store for a full refund.”
The focus of the FDA investigation now centers on the source of the contamination. The agency is collaborating with international health and safety counterparts to inspect the facilities and aquaculture farms operated by Ocean Harvest Packers. Officials are exploring whether an industrial or medical source of Cobalt-60 may have inadvertently contaminated the water where the shrimp were raised or processed.
“Incidents like this are exceedingly rare but highlight the complexities of a global food supply chain,” explained Dr. Samuel Peterson, a professor of food toxicology at Cornell University who is not involved in the investigation. “The FDA’s import screening program worked as designed. It caught a potential issue before it could become a widespread public health crisis, which should provide some reassurance to the public.”
What Consumers Should Do
The FDA and Walmart have provided clear instructions for consumers who may have purchased the recalled Great Value Frozen Cooked Shrimp:
- Check the Product: Look for 12 oz. bags with the lot codes A26425, A26426, or A26427 printed on the back.
- Do Not Eat: Consumers are warned not to eat the shrimp. It should not be cooked or fed to pets.
- Return the Product: The product should be sealed in a plastic bag and returned to the point of purchase for a full refund.
Officials have stated that there have been no confirmed reports of illness related to the consumption of this product. The recall is a precautionary measure to prevent potential long-term health effects associated with ingesting radioactive materials. The investigation into the source of the contamination is ongoing. The FDA has indicated it may increase its screening protocols for similar imported seafood products pending the outcome of its review. Ocean Harvest Packers has not yet issued a public statement on the matter.
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