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DOH issues FDA WARNING FOR IQF OYSTERS

Posted on June 21, 2024 in Newsroom

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Division of Food Safety is informing the public of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent advisory regarding certain IQF oysters from the Republic of Korea. On June 21, 2024, the FDA warned against selling, serving, or consuming the oysters due to possible norovirus contamination.

The oysters, lot number C-20230228, a product of Central Fisheries Co. Ltd., were harvested on February 28, 2023 in Designated Area No. 2 and have a best-before date of February 28, 2025. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Hawaii and California, and possibly other states.

The following photos show an example of the product labeling of the affected oysters.

Oysters contaminated with norovirus can cause illness in consumers of all ages if consumed, and may cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems. Foods containing norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers who experience symptoms should contact their health care provider and are encouraged to Report any suspected illness related to this recall to DOH disease reporting line at 808-586-4586.

Symptoms of Norovirus

The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache and body aches.

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness improve within one to three days.

Norovirus illness can cause vomiting and diarrhea severe enough to cause dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urine output, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing. Dehydrated children may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If you think you or someone you care for is severely dehydrated, contact your doctor.

Recommendations for restaurants and retailers

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell potentially contaminated oysters. They should discard the affected products or return them to their retailer for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish can be a source of pathogens and control the risk of cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the environment. They should follow the following steps:

  • After the cleaning and disinfection process, wash your hands with warm water and soap.
  • Retailers, restaurants and other food service providers that have processed and packaged potentially contaminated products should regularly clean and disinfect food-contact surfaces and food preparation utensils to minimize cross-contamination.
  • Retailers who have sold loose products should clean and disinfect all containers in which the product was stored.

On June 13, the Hawaii Department of Health notified the FDA of an outbreak of norovirus illnesses linked to consumption of the affected oysters.

On June 19, 2024, the Republic of Korea notified the FDA that Central Fisheries Co., LTD had voluntarily recalled the affected oysters.

FDA will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to government authorities as needed. FDA will update the Safety Alert as new information becomes available.

The DOH’s Division of Food Safety protects and promotes the health of Hawaii residents and visitors by providing training to food workers and regulating food establishments throughout the state. The division conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food is prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

The department also investigates the causes of foodborne illnesses and possible adulteration and is responsible for mitigating the effects of these incidents to prevent future incidents. The Department of Health’s food safety specialists work closely with business owners, food service workers and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.

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