Norovirus fears prompt FDA warning to restaurants and retailers: Stop selling this recalled shellfish

A safety alert came on Friday after health officials in Washington State reported illnesses associated with the consumption of raw oysters.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning restaurants and retailers not to sell or serve recalled shellfish from a Washington State company due to potential norovirus contamination. 

The recalled shellfish was harvested on March 22 through April 9, according to a safety alert from the FDA.

The alert follows an April 10 recall conducted by the Washington State Department of Health, cautioning the FDA about all species of shellstock from the company, Gomez Shellfish, due to norovirus-like illnesses that were associated with the consumption of raw oysters.

Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Where were affected product distributed? 

The recalled shellfish originally comes from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, Washington. The grower and all WA dealers contacted their buyers following the April recall.

The shellfish was distributed to restaurants and retailers in four states— California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. 

What norovirus symptoms should I look out for? 

According to the CDC, common norovirus symptoms to watch for are 

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