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Some doctors are now advising their pregnant patients to avoid plastic itself, which contains harmful chemicals that can hurt some mothers and babies alike.

Marya Zlatnik, a University of California at San Francisco fetal medicine specialist, told the Washington Post that when giving some of her early-pregnancy patients the rundown of what they should and shouldn’t consume or be exposed to, she’s begun adding plastic products to her no-no list.

Her concern: the chemicals known as phthalates, which make plastics stronger and more flexible but also act as a hormone disruptor that has been linked to everything from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and asthma to obesity and premature birth, among countless other health issues.

Unlike per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, another widespread and terrifying class of contaminants referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their longevity, some scientists have taken to calling phthalates “everywhere chemicals,” because they dissipate quickly but are nonetheless constantly contaminating basically everyone on the planet thanks to massive plastic overconsumption.

Phthalates are believed to be inside basically every human body on Earth, and its not hard to see why: the Food and Drug Administration has approved“`html

Radioactive Contamination of Walmart Frozen Shrimp: An Update

In early September 2025, several Walmart locations across Asia pulled frozen shrimp from their shelves after detecting trace amounts of radioactive material.This incident sparked consumer concern and prompted investigations by food safety authorities. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, the source of the contamination, and what steps are being taken to prevent future occurrences.

What happened?

Starting september 1st, 2025, Walmart stores in Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of mainland China began receiving reports of elevated radiation levels in certain batches of frozen shrimp. Initial tests conducted by Walmart’s quality control teams confirmed the presence of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The affected shrimp was sourced from a processing facility in Vietnam, specifically Seafood Connection Vietnam co., Ltd., a major supplier to Walmart. The contamination was detected in shrimp destined for both retail sale and use in prepared foods.

Source of the Contamination

Investigations quickly focused on the source of the Cesium-137. The Food and Agriculture Institution of the United Nations (FAO) explains that Cesium-137 is a byproduct of nuclear fission and is commonly found in the habitat consequently of past nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl and fukushima disasters.

The contamination in the shrimp is believed to stem from wastewater discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. While the Japanese government and TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) have been releasing treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean since August 24, 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has consistently maintained that the discharge meets international safety standards. However, concerns remain about the potential for bioaccumulation of radioactive isotopes in marine life.

Specifically,investigations revealed that the shrimp were harvested from waters near the coast of Vietnam that have experienced increased levels of cesium-137 due to ocean currents carrying the diluted wastewater from Fukushima.The processing facility, Seafood Connection Vietnam, had no internal contamination issues, indicating the source was external to their operations.

Health risks and regulatory Response

The levels of Cesium-137 detected in the shrimp were low and considered unlikely to pose an immediate health risk to consumers. However,prolonged exposure to even low levels of radiation can increase the risk of cancer.

Regulatory bodies responded swiftly:

• Walmart: Immediately pulled all affected shrimp from shelves and issued a recall. They are working with Seafood Connection Vietnam to implement stricter testing protocols.
• Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: Launched an investigation into the shrimp supply chain and increased radiation testing of seafood exports.vietnam Plus reports increased scrutiny of seafood exports.
• Hong Kong’s center for Food Safety: Suspended imports of frozen seafood from Seafood Connection Vietnam.
• China’s General Administration of Customs: Implemented stricter inspection requirements for seafood imports from Vietnam.

Key Takeaways

• The contamination was traced to Cesium-137, likely originating from the fukushima wastewater discharge.
• Levels detected were low but prompted recalls and increased scrutiny of seafood imports.
• The incident highlights the potential for long-term environmental impacts from nuclear incidents.
• Enhanced monitoring and testing of seafood are crucial to ensure food safety.

FAQ

Q: Is the shrimp safe to eat?

A: While the levels of radiation detected were low, Walmart and regulatory agencies have recalled the affected shrimp as a precautionary measure. It is not recommended to consume the recalled product.

Q: What is Cesium-137?