The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has escalated its public health alert with an urgent warning concerning clams and oysters that may be contaminated with norovirus. This critical advisory specifically targets restaurants and retailers across nine states, urging them to immediately cease the sale and service of these potentially hazardous shellfish products.
States Affected by the Shellfish Recall
The FDA's press release, issued on Monday, has been disseminated to food businesses in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington. These establishments are believed to have purchased recalled Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council. The clams in question carry harvest dates ranging from February 13 to March 3, 2026.
Additional Recall for Raw Oysters
In a separate but related action, consumers in Washington state are being strongly advised to avoid consuming a specific batch of raw oysters. These oysters were harvested by the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and share the same harvest date range of February 13 to March 3, 2026. The FDA is currently awaiting further details on the distribution channels for both the Manila clams and these oysters, with plans to provide necessary assistance to state authorities as the situation develops.
No Reported Illnesses Yet
At this time, there have been no confirmed illnesses reported in connection with the consumption of these recalled shellfish products. However, the FDA emphasizes the severe health risks associated with norovirus contamination, which necessitates this preemptive warning.
Health Risks of Norovirus Exposure
According to the FDA, individuals infected with norovirus may experience a range of distressing symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and body aches. Norovirus infections can lead to dehydration, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children and older adults. Those with compromised immune systems are at an elevated risk of developing severe illness if they consume food contaminated with the virus.
Symptoms typically manifest between 12 and 48 hours after exposure, with most people recovering within one to three days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 2,500 norovirus outbreaks are reported annually in the United States. These outbreaks often occur when infected individuals spread the virus through direct contact, such as sharing food or utensils, or via contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
Recent FDA Actions on Norovirus in Seafood
This warning follows a similar alert issued by the FDA last month, which targeted restaurants and food retailers in multiple states regarding norovirus contamination in seafood products. That advisory specifically concerned oysters from brands like Kusshi, Chrome Point, Stellar Bay, and Stellar Bay Gold, harvested by Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd. from British Columbia, Canada. The FDA advised that those products should not be served or consumed due to potential norovirus contamination, highlighting an ongoing vigilance in monitoring seafood safety.
The FDA continues to monitor the situation closely and urges all consumers and businesses to adhere to these warnings to prevent potential health crises. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the distribution and impact of these recalled shellfish products.
