A San Fransisco, California, U.S.A.-based seafood distributor has issued an urgent recall of certain Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi oysters due to multiple confirmed illnesses from norovirus contamination.
The oysters, originally sourced from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based Pacific Northwest Shellfish and Richmond, British Columbia, Canada-based Union Bay Seafood by S&M Shellfish were distributed to retailers and distributors throughout the U.S.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning retailers and restaurants in several U.S. states to not use certain oysters and Manila clams from Rudy’s Shellfish in the U.S. state of Washington due to possible norovirus contamination.
In the California recall, S&M Shellfish said to stop any consumption or distribution of the shellfish and to either immediately return it to the company, labeling it “NOT SAFE, DON’T TOUCH,” or to immediately destroy the product “under the supervision of the department of health or official from the local health jurisdiction immediately.”
If destroyed, S&M said to provide proof of the destruction to the relevant overseeing health officials and include what quantity of product was destroyed.
“Any product not immediately destroyed, including product returned to S&M Shellfish Co., needs to remain labeled "NOT SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION" to avoid accidental consumption,” the company said.
The company said all recalled products need to be accounted for with a list of distribution of count, including product on hand and returned.
“Our priority is public health and safety. To do so, please do your part and contact your customers immediately,” the company said.
The company said it is recalling oysters from the following areas in British Columbia: Landfile 1413888 14-8, Landfile 1402294 14-8, Landfile 1402293 14-8, Landfile 1402294 14-8, Landfile 1409454 14-8, Landfile 1402060 14-8, Landfile 1409240 14-8, Landfile 1402193 14-15, and Landfile 249854.
Meanwhile, the FDA said that the state of Washington recalled oysters and Manila clams harvested from 15 November to 11 December 2024 by Rudy’s Shellfish (WA-1590-SS) from the Pickering Passage growing area in Washington due to a norovirus outbreak.
“The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of the oysters and Manila clams … from Pickering Passage growing area … because they may be contaminated with norovirus,” the agency said.
The shellfish was distributed to restaurants and food retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Washington. They may have been distributed to other U.S. states as well, according to the FDA.
“Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell these potentially contaminated oysters and Manila clams. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction,” the FDA said.
Neither the FDA nor S&M Shellfish revealed how many cases of norovirus illness have occurred.
There has also recently been a norovirus outbreak in New York, according to media reports and nearly 80 people became ill with norovirus on a recent Holland America cruise.
