America's largest retailer Wal-Mart has recalled frozen raw shrimp sold in 13 states after health authorities indicated these products may have potential radioactive contamination.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Wal-Mart to remove three batches of Great Value brand frozen shrimp from shelves after federal officials detected cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in containers and breaded shrimp samples imported from Indonesia.

FDA officials stated that over time, these products could pose "potential health concerns" for individuals exposed to low levels of cesium-137.

"If you recently purchased frozen raw shrimp from Wal-Mart that matches the above description, please discard it," FDA officials said in a statement.

However, Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University, said the risk from the recalled shrimp is "quite low."

Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear weapons, testing, reactor operations, and accidents. It exists widely around the world in trace amounts in environments such as soil, food, and air.

The cesium-137 levels detected in the frozen breaded shrimp were far below the FDA's intervention level. However, the agency stated that avoiding potentially contaminated products can reduce exposure to low-level radiation, which may still cause health problems over time.

The FDA is investigating reports of cesium-137 contamination in containers and products processed by Indonesian company P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati, which operates under the name Indonesian BMS Food Company. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials alerted the FDA after discovering cesium-137 in containers shipped to U.S. ports including Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Savannah, Georgia.

FDA officials collected several product samples and found contamination in one frozen breaded shrimp sample. These containers and products were refused entry into the United States.

However, the FDA subsequently learned that Wal-Mart received potentially affected imported products after the initial detection, which did not trigger contamination alerts.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson stated that the company immediately recalled these products. This includes Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp with lot numbers 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, all with a best-by date of March 15, 2027. These shrimp were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Consumers should discard these products or return them to any Wal-Mart store for a refund.