Certain Oysters From Westport, Connecticut Recalled Due to Potential Norovirus Contamination

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is conducting a recall of oysters from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ) in Westport, Connecticut. These oysters are associated with a norovirus outbreak in Minnesota and may be contaminated. 

The impacted oysters were harvested on February 20, 2024 from lot 207. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in at least 12 states, including Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is...

Maine Commercial Fisheries Bring In Over $610 Million For Fishermen In 2023

Preliminary data released by Maine’s Department of Marine Resources reveals that commercial fishermen earned $611,277,692 at the dock last year — primarily due to strong boat prices for lobster. To compare, in 2022 Maine harvesters earned $574,049,682. 

“The Maine seafood industry continues to be a powerful economic engine for our state,” commented Governor Janet Mills. “The dedication to sustainability and premium quality by our fishermen, aquaculturists and dealers is a source of tremendous pride for everyone who calls Maine home...

FDA Issues Second Advisory About Potentially Contaminated Oysters From Mexico

Last week the FDA issued an advisory not to eat certain oysters from Bahia Salina in Sonora, Mexico because they could potentially be contaminated with norovirus. This week the government agency issued a second advisory for oysters that may potentially be contaminated with norovirus.

The latest advisory is for certain oysters from Baja California, Mexico, from Aquacultura Integral De Baja California SA de CV. The oysters were harvested on December 15, December 16, December 19, December 23, or December 29. The FDA is urging consumers in California who may...

Japan: Oyster Exports in 2023 Remain Strong But Hit a Plateau

There is a feeling that oyster exports have reached a plateau. In 2021 and 2022, the volume and value reached record highs, but in 2023, the pace is slightly lower than last year (January-September cumulative total). The main reason was a decrease in oyster production in the first half of the year due to sluggish growth in Japan's principal producing areas. Furthermore, China has suspended imports of Japanese marine products due to the release of ALPS-treated water into the ocean. The main export destinations are...

FDA Issues Warning About Fanny Bay Oysters

The FDA has issued a warning to restaurants and retailers about oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters. According to the government agency, the oysters potentially contain high levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which could cause illness if eaten raw.

Fanny Bay Oysters is based in British Columbia. The oysters in question were sent to restaurants and food retailers in California and Washington. According to the FDA, it’s possible that other states may have purchased the oysters as well.

The oysters in questions were harvested on October 17, 2023 from...

FDA Issues Advisory About Contaminated Oysters, Mussels

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple advisories in the past few weeks about contaminated shellfish. 

The first alert was issued on August 30 for restaurants and food retailers in Illinois, Massachusetts and New York that may have recently purchased cultured mussels from East River Shellfish, Inc., which is based in Glenfinnan, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The cultured mussels in question were harvested from location PE 4-C on August 14, 2023 and shipped the next day to retailers in the above-mentioned states...

CT Department of Ag Says State Shellfish Have Never Been Associated With Vibrio Vulnificus Infection

Last month three cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections were reported to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH). And while the DPH issued a warning to residents about the “potential dangers of consuming raw shellfish and exposure to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound,” the state’s Department of Agriculture has also put out a statement saying that Connecticut shellfish “have never been associated with Vibrio vulnificus infections.”

Vibrio bacteria does occur naturally in coastal waters. However, it’s reported more in the...

FDA Issues Warning Over Certain Oysters From Mexico

The FDA issued an update on January 18 to expand their original safety alert to include additional oysters from Sonora, Mexico. The FDA is now advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Sociedad Acuicola Golpac, SC DE RL DE CV, Sonora, Mexico, from another harvest area, Estero Morua, Sonora, Mexico, harvested on 12/18, 12/19, and 12/27/2023, because they may be contaminated with norovirus. You can find the updated notice here.

FDA Issues Advisory For Certain Oysters From British Columbia

The FDA issued an advisory on December 22 for Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay oysters. According to the government agency, certain oysters may be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. Restaurants and food retailers are being advised not to serve or sell the oysters.

Campylobacter jejuni is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning. People with this specific infection will likely experience symptoms like diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, which can last about a week.

The oysters in question were  harvested on November 8 from...

FDA Issues Warning Not To Eat Oysters Illegally Harvested in Connecticut

On Tuesday the FDA issued an advisory warning restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell oysters that were illegally harvested in Connecticut. 

Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Aquaculture first informed the FDA of a recall on November 17. The FDA then issued their own warning on November 21.

The oysters in question were distributed in Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas. They were illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut between November 12, 2023 and November 15, 2023...

FDA Issues Warning About Oysters From Future Seafoods, Inc.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning advising restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell oysters from Future Seafoods, Inc. The oysters are potentially contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli.

The oysters from Future Seafoods were harvested from harvest area PE9B from Prince Edward Island, Canada, on October 10, 2023. They were then shipped to restaurants and food retailers in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The FDA believes that there is a possible presence of Salmonella and E. Coli following a test...

Japan’s General Oyster Inc. Sells Norovirus-Free Oysters

According to the Suisan Keizai Shimbun, GO Farm Co., Ltd., a group company of General Oyster Inc., which engages in a wide range of operations from oyster seed production, aquaculture, wholesale sales to oyster bar management, operates a land-based life-cycle oyster farm on Kume Island in Okinawa using deep ocean water. This is the world's first successful production of oysters in a land-based life-cycle aquaculture facility. The farmed oysters with the "8th Sea Oyster 2.0" brand name will be mass-produced and sold to the market...