FDA Expands Oyster Recall Over Norovirus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded a national recall of raw oysters from Stellar Bay Shellfish due to potential norovirus contamination. The recall affects products harvested between December 22, 2025, and February 6, 2026. The alert covers multiple states and applies to oysters sold at both restaurants and retail locations.
- The recall was initiated after the Washington Department of Public Health and the California Department of Public Health reported outbreaks of norovirus-like illnesses in early February 2026, associated with oysters from Stellar Bay Shellfish. - The affected oysters originate from a specific harvest area in British Columbia, Canada, identified as BC 17-20 (Nanoose Bay) CLF #1401656. Brands impacted by the recall include Kusshi, Chrome Point, Stellar Bay, and Stellar Bay Gold. - Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms typically appearing 12 to 48 hours after exposure. The illness often includes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, and usually resolves within one to three days. - This is not the first time British Columbia has faced a widespread oyster recall due to norovirus. In 2022, an outbreak linked to raw B.C. oysters resulted in 339 reported cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness across multiple Canadian provinces. - Norovirus can be present in oysters that look, smell, and taste normal. The virus is resilient in cold water, and contamination of oyster beds is often linked to sewage. - Shellfish recalls can have a significant economic impact, leading to lost sales and decreased consumer confidence that can affect the entire industry, not just the recalled brands. Following a recall, there is often a negative spillover effect on the sales of unrecalled brands of the same species. - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting a food safety investigation which may lead to the recall of other products. Both the FDA and the CFIA have advised restaurants and retailers to dispose of the recalled oysters and to be vigilant about cross-contamination.
