GerryPthaDJ Blog: Shrimp Glowin’ Ain’t Golden

Alright y’all, time to pull up to the mic because this seafood story is wilder than a late-night mixtape. When we talk about radioactive shrimp at Walmart, that ain’t a punchline — that’s the FDA putting the brakes on some freezer-section favorites.

The Drop

The FDA just sent shockwaves across kitchens everywhere: Great Value raw frozen shrimp — the Walmart brand — is being recalled after testing flagged traces of Cesium‑137. Yep, that’s the same radioactive isotope born out of nuclear reactors and fallout sites. Customs and Border Protection clocked it at four major ports (LA, Miami, Houston, Savannah), and Indonesia’s BMS Foods, the distributor, had samples that lit up positive too.

The Shrimp in Question

The spotlight’s on two‑pound bags of raw white vannamei shrimp. Look for these codes:

Lot codes: 8005540-1, 8005538-1, 8005539-1

Best‑by date: March 15, 2027

These were shipped out to stores in at least 13 states, stretching from Texas to Pennsylvania. If your freezer’s stocked, better check before you cook.

Is It Dangerous?

Here’s the beat: the radiation levels found (~68 Bq/kg) are way lower than the FDA’s cutoff (1,200 Bq/kg). So, one plate of garlic-butter shrimp won’t have you glowing in the dark. But radiation is no joke — long-term exposure, even low-dose, can creep up on your health, nudging cancer risk and damaging DNA. The FDA ain’t taking chances.

Walmart’s Move

Walmart came quick with the statement: “Customer health and safety is top priority.” They’ve yanked the shrimp off shelves, flagged sales, and told folks straight up: throw it away, bring your receipt or the bag back, and you’ll get that refund.

FDA’s Next Steps

The FDA locked BMS Foods out of exporting to the U.S. until they can prove their house is in order. Meanwhile, the investigation is still live — testing, tracing, and making sure no contaminated seafood slips through.

The Final Word from GerryPthaDJ

This ain’t about panic — it’s about staying sharp. Seafood is supposed to be soul food, not sci‑fi. If you copped one of these bags, play it safe: toss it, get your refund, and keep your plate clean.

Because at the end of the day? Shrimp glowin’ ain’t golden.