Frozen shrimp at Walmart may be radioactive, according to a new advisory from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which warns that frozen shrimp sold under the Great Value brand in 13 states might have been contaminated with a radioactive isotope.
So far, no frozen shrimp have actually tested positive for the isotope, known as Cesium-137. However, small traces were found in a shipment of shrimp imported to the US from the Indonesian supplier PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati.
Is radioactive shrimp dangerous?
It’s unlikely that the low levels of Cesium-137 would cause significant harm, but out of caution, the FDA is advising anyone who has already purchased the shrimp to throw it away.
A statement from the administration reads: “The primary health effect of concern following longer-term, repeated low-dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body.”
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It’s unusual for frozen shrimp to be recalled due to radioactivity, though recalls for other reasons are common. Earlier this year, more than 44,000 pounds of shrimp were recalled from retailers and wholesalers in Oregon, California, and Washington, as well as British Columbia, due to concerns over potential Listeria contamination. If consumed, Listeria can cause listeriosis, an illness that leads to symptoms like fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
In June 2024, Aldi stores in France also recalled bags of shrimp after one lot tested positive for Vibrio, a type of flesh-eating bacteria.
None of this sounds particularly appetizing. And if you’d rather not risk it, there are alternatives. In fact, the plant-based seafood industry is booming.
The vegan seafood industry is growing
In 2024, the global plant-based seafood market was valued at more than $600 million, and by 2030, it’s expected to reach nearly $1 billion. That growth means there are more vegan seafood options available than ever before. Not only are these alternatives potentially lower risk from a food safety perspective, they’re also better for the oceans, since they don’t contribute to overfishing or bycatch.
Juicy Marbles
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Some of the newest products to hit the market include Kinda Cod, a whole-cut vegan cod fillet developed by Juicy Marbles and Revo Foods, which sold out in just one hour. The same partnership also created Kinda Salmon, a tender, flaky salmon alternative. Revo Foods is also behind The Kraken, a hyper-realistic vegan octopus complete with tentacles and suckers. It launched in 2024 and sold out within two days.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Gardein, Fysh Foods, Seed to Surf, All Vegetarian Inc, Lily’s Vegan Pantry, and The Plant Based Seafood Co. are just a few of the brands leading the way in vegan seafood innovation. You can read more about them and other plant-based seafood options here. Craving shrimp, specifically? Check out some of our go-to vegan shrimp brands and recipes here.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
