Recall of contaminated raw oysters in the United States

Background

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release on 2 March 2007 and advised consumers to avoid eating raw oysters harvested after 1 February 2007 from San Antonio Bay, Texas, United States, as a result of the investigation of an outbreak of norovirus-associated illness in the United States linked to eating raw oysters harvested from the area.

According to the FDA, The implicated oyster beds were closed by the Texas Department of Health Services. The distributor Bayview Seafood in Seadrift, Texas, issued a voluntary recall on 26 February 2007. Another distributor, Rose Bay Oyster Company of Swanquarter, NC, issued a voluntary recall on 28 February 2007. Oysters with tags that read: “Gal 1, 2/2/07” were subject to the recall.

Actions Taken by the CFS

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) appealed to the trade to stop selling raw oysters harvested after 1 February 2007 from San Antonio Bay, Texas, United States. The CFS will continue to monitor the situation and follow up with the US authorities for more information.

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is an important cause of non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, non-bloody diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Advice to the Trade

• Stop selling the affected products.

Advice to Consumers

• The elderly, children, pregnant women and people with lowered immunity should avoid consuming high-risk foods like raw oysters or cold dishes.
• Consumers who have purchased the affected products should stop consuming them.
• They should seek medical advice if symptoms develop.

Further Information

Further information about the incident can be obtained from the following webpages:

• FDA website
• The CFS press release
• CFS pamphlet on Norovirus
• CFS Risk in Brief on Nororirus Gastroenteritis

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
4 March 2007