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 and Consumers Not to Eat Oysters Illegally Harvested in Connecticut by Seaview Fisheries LLC (CT-084-SS, AQ)Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Oysters Illegally Harvested in Connecticut by Seaview Fisheries LLC (CT-084-SS, AQ)
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintAudience

Restaurants and food retailers in Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Illinois (IL), Maryland (MD), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), and Texas (TX) that have recently purchased raw oysters, labeled as lots L466B and 466A. These oysters were illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023.
	Consumers in DE, FL, IL, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and TX, who have recently purchased or consumed raw oysters, labeled as lots L466B and 466A. These oysters were illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023.Product

Oysters illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023 and distributed to DE, FL, IL, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and TX. It is possible that oysters may have been distributed to other states as well. These oysters can be identified by the dealer tag with the original shipper, Seaview Fisheries LLC, CT-084-SS, AQ, and harvest location lots L466B and 466A.

Purpose

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of oysters illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023 by original certified dealer Seaview Fisheries, CT-084-SS, AQ, and labeled as lots L466B and 466A because they may be contaminated. The oysters were directly distributed to a distributor in RI. Oysters were distributed further to a distributor and retailers in DE, FL, IL, MD, NJ, NY, PA, and TX and may have been distributed further from these states.

Oysters harvested illegally may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic elements or poisonous or deleterious substances and can cause illness if consumed. Oysters are filter feeders that remove and bioaccumulate bacteria and other pathogens from the water. It is not uncommon for shellfish to be consumed raw and whole. Contaminated oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Oysters contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

People can get sick with food poisoning after ingesting pathogens toxic elements or poisonous or deleterious substances. Symptoms may vary, depending on the pathogen or contaminant and can range from mild to serious. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms may start within a few hours or may take a few days and can last for a few hours or several days. Consumers of these products who are experiencing food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

Summary of Problem and Scope

On November 17, 2023, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture (CT DA/BA) informed the FDA of a recall of oysters that had been illegally harvested and potentially contaminated. The oysters were illegally harvested from Milford Approved Area on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023 by certified dealer Seaview Fisheries, LLC, CT-084-SS, AQ, labeled as lots L466B and 466A. Oysters were distributed directly to a distributor in RI. Oysters were distributed further to a distributor and retailers in DE, FL, IL, MD, NJ, NY, PA, and TX and may have been distributed further from these states.

FDA Actions

The FDA is issuing this alert advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, oysters labeled as lots L466B and 466A, illegally harvested from Milford Approved area in Connecticut on 11/12/2023 and 11/15/2023. The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers

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

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish 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.Recommendations for Consumers

Consumers should not eat the potentially contaminated oysters. 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 Coordinator if 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.Visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional consumer and industry assistance.

Additional Information

Notice of Illness Outbreaks, Shellfish Closures, Reopenings, & Recalls - ISSC
	Norovirus
	The Symptoms of Norovirus
	Preventing Norovirus
	Information on *Salmonella*
	Information on *E. coli*
	Oysters and Vibriosis
	Handwashing: A Healthy Habit in the Kitchen

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      11/21/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesAlerts, Advisories & Safety Information
 
 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