Shrimp Prices Are Skyrocketing: Expert Tips to Save Money and Still Enjoy the Seafood Staple

UPDATED AUGUST 20 — Consumers are being urged to double-check their freezers after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Walmart announced a nationwide recall of select Great Value brand frozen shrimp that may be contaminated with the radioactive isotope cesium-137. The recall affects three lot codes—8005540-1, 8005538-1 and 8005539-1—with “best by” dates of March 15, 2027. The potentially tainted shrimp, sourced from an Indonesian processor, was detected at two major U.S. ports during routine radiation screening, triggering the FDA’s new Import Alert 99-51 and an immediate stop-sale order. Why cesium-137 matters • Cesium-137 is a by-product of nuclear fission that can accumulate in muscle tissue. • Short-term exposure in food is unlikely to cause acute radiation sickness, but long-term ingestion may raise cancer risk, according to FDA toxicologists. • Seafood is screened under federal guidelines that set an action level of 370 Bq/kg for cesium isotopes. What products are included • Great Value Raw, Tail-On, EZ-Peel Large Shrimp (31-40 ct, 32 oz). • Great Value Raw, Tail-On, EZ-Peel Extra-Large Shrimp (26-30 ct, 32 oz). • Great Value Raw, Tail-On, EZ-Peel Jumbo Shrimp (21-25 ct, 32 oz). How to identify recalled bags Look for the lot code printed in black near the lower back seal. If the code begins with 8005540-1, 8005538-1 or 8005539-1, do not consume the product. Dispose of it in a sealed bag or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Walmart says no receipt is required. Consumer safety guidance 1. If you have already eaten the recalled shrimp, monitor for nausea, vomiting or fatigue. The FDA says medical attention is unnecessary unless you develop persistent symptoms. 2. Wash hands, utensils and surfaces that contacted the thawed shrimp to prevent cross-contamination. 3. Sign up for FDA food-recall alerts or check the agency’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts page regularly. Industry impact The United States imported nearly 1.5 billion pounds of shrimp in 2024, almost 12 percent from Indonesia. Import Alert 99-51 allows border agents to detain shipments from the implicated Indonesian packer without laboratory testing, a move likely to tighten supplies and raise wholesale prices during the peak Labor Day seafood-buying period. Retail analysts predict a short-term shift toward domestically farmed Gulf shrimp and Argentine red shrimp as grocers scramble to fill freezer cases. What happens next The FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Indonesian food-safety officials are tracing the source of the contamination, including whether the cesium-137 originated from scrap metal in processing equipment or from shipping containers stored near industrial waste sites. Results of a multi-agency investigation are expected within 30 days. Walmart says it has suspended purchases from the facility until it passes an independent audit. Bottom line Check your freezer now. If the lot code matches the recall, throw the shrimp away or bring it back to Walmart for a refund. Staying informed—and acting quickly—protects your family and sends a market signal that only safe, high-quality shrimp belongs on U.S. dinner plates.