Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information

Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information Home
          Food
          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information
          FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters from Canada (April 2022)Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters from Canada (April 2022)
  
  	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintWhat's New

May 17, 2022

On May 4, 2022, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), closed the following investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters.

Retailers should not serve raw oysters harvested from the following harvest locations within British Columbia, BC 14-8 and BC 14-15, with harvest dates between January 31, 2022 and May 4, 2022, which will be printed on product tags.


On April 4, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and state and local partners, announced an investigation of a multi-state outbreak of Norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters. As of May 4, 2022, CDC and FDA’s investigations are now closed and the outbreak appears to be over.

Oysters

On this page:

What is the Problem and What is being Done About It?
	What are the Symptoms of Norovirus Infection?
	Who is at Risk?
	What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need to Do?
	What Do Consumers Need to Do?
	Who Should be Contacted?What is the Problem and What is being Done About It?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with federal, state, and local officials, and with Canadian public health authorities regarding a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada. The FDA has confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX, and WA. It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution within the U.S.

The FDA and the states conducted a trace forward investigation to determine where the raw oysters were distributed and to ensure they’re removed from the food supply. Retailers should not serve raw oysters harvested from the following harvest locations within British Columbia, BC 14-8 and BC 14-15, with harvest starting as early as January 31, 2022, which will be printed on product tags.

Oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal.

What are the Symptoms of Norovirus Infection?

People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.

Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.

Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your healthcare provider.

Learn more:

Norovirus | CDC
	The Symptoms of Norovirus | CDC
	Preventing Norovirus | CDCWho is at Risk?

Anyone who consumes raw shellfish is at risk of contracting norovirus. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need to Do?

Restaurants and retailers should not sell the potentially affected raw oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning to their distributor for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that the oysters may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross–contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
	Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
	Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
	Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross–contamination.What Do Consumers Need to Do?

People should not eat any raw oysters from the locations listed above. If they have any of the listed products, they should throw them in the garbage.

People who think they might have become ill from eating possibly contaminated raw oysters should talk to their health care providers.

Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.

For food preparation surfaces and food cutting utensils that may have come in contact with the potentially contaminated oysters, it is very important that the consumers thoroughly clean these areas and items.

It is also important to be aware that noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat. They can survive temperatures as high as 145°F. Quick steaming processes that are often used for cooking shellfish may not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses.

To protect yourself and others from norovirus:
	Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water often.
		Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them.
		Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
		Do not prepare food or care for others when you are sick, and for at least two days after symptoms stop.
		Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
		Wash contaminated laundry thoroughly.**Additional Information for Consumers**

Public Health Notice: Outbreak of norovirus and gastrointestinal illnesses linked to raw oysters from British Columbia
	Raw Oyster Myths
	Handwashing: A Healthy Habit in the Kitchen | Handwashing | CDCWho to Contact

**Consumers who have symptoms**should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a **complaint**or **adverse event**(illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinatorif you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
	Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
	Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.Submit Questions/Get Assistance

Follow us on X

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/17/2022
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesAlerts, Advisories & Safety Information
 SUBSCRIBE
                      Get regular FDA email updates delivered on this topic to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop