Shellfish Sold In 9 States May Be Contaminated With Norovirus

Certain oysters and clams distributed in nine states have been recalled because they may be contaminated with norovirus, a nasty stomach bug that sickens millions of Americans every year.

The Food and Drug Administration warned Monday that potentially bad shellfish were distributed to food restaurants and retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington.

The warning covers oysters harvested by Washington-based Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. and Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council from Feb. 13 to March 3, according to the FDA.

The FDA did not say how many oysters and clams were potentially contaminated with norovirus. An investigation with Washington state officials is ongoing.

Restaurants and food retailers should not serve or sell the recalled products and consumers should not eat them, the FDA said. Instead, they should “dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or contacting their distributor to arrange for destruction,” the agency said. The FDA also warned that cross-contamination could occur if any of the recalled shellfish touched processing equipment or any other food in the kitchen.

Norovirus-contaminated shellfish can cause illness if eaten and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms of an infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Food containing norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal, the FDA noted.