A recall has been issued for frozen shrimp sold at Walmart in 13 states that may have been contaminated with a radioactive chemical, the Food and Drug Administration said.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the FDA advised the recall after it detected Cesium-137 (Cs-137), a radioactive chemical "produced by nuclear fission for use in medical devices and gauges," according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The chemical was detected in four U.S. ports across the country and in a sample of breaded shrimp, the FDA stated.

"Although testing to date has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product in commerce, the product appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern," the FDA advised.

The FDA is investigating the situation.

Which states sold the recalled frozen shrimp?

The recalled shrimp were sold in the following 13 states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • West Virginia

Ports that received contaminated shipping containers

The four ports where the FDA detected contaminated shipping containers are in the following cities:

  • Los Angeles
  • Houston
  • Miami
  • Savannah, Georgia

Which products were recalled?

The recall is targeted at 2-pound bags of Great Value brand Frozen Raw Ez Peel Tail-On Farm-Raised White Vannamei Shrimp. Lot codes and best by dates include the following:

  • Lot code: 8005540-1; best by date: 3/15/2027
  • Lot code: 8005538-1; best by date: 3/15/2027
  • Lot code: 8005539-1; best by date: 3/15/2027

The shrimp products are processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati, a company in Indonesia doing business as BMS Foods, according to the FDA.

What to do if you have recalled shrimp

If you have a package of the recalled Walmart shrimp at home, throw it away and do not eat or serve it, the FDA notice says. Distributors and retailers should dispose of the product and refrain from selling it.

Anybody who fears they may have been exposed to elevated levels of cesium should contact their medical providers. To submit a complaint or report an adverse reaction, consumers can visit the FDA's Industry and Consumer Assistance portal.

PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati placed under an import alert

PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has also been placed on an import alert for chemical contamination, which prevents any of the company's food products from entering the United States until it resolves any conditions that could have caused the exposure.

The FDA is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the cause of the contamination.

What is Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and why is it regulated?

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium, meaning it is a chemical element that emits radiation as it breaks down. It is man-made and is produced by nuclear fission, according to the FDA. In the United States, it is used in medical devices and measurement gauges, such as industrial devices that measure the thickness of materials.

"It is also one of the byproducts of nuclear fission processes in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons testing," the EPA stated.

Because it is widespread around the globe, trace amounts can be found in the environment, including in soil, food and air, the FDA. Agencies, including the FDA and U.S. Customs & Border Protection, test for, monitor and regulate the presence of the substance due to the risks associated with long-term exposure.

Low-level radiation exposure over time can lead to serious health complications, the FDA said. Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death. As a result, the governing agencies restrict potential exposure to lessen the possibility of these long-term impacts.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Was the potentially radioactive shrimp sold in your state? See map.

Reporting by Julia Gomez and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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