The FDA has issued a warning about oysters from a certain harvest area in Connecticut that were distributed to other states. Testing has shown the oysters to be contaminated.
The warning and related recall posted today by the Food and Drug Administration did not indicate a specific contaminant.
Restaurants and food retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia that have recently purchased raw oysters from Groton Approved area in Connecticut harvested from Aug. 28 through Aug. 30 should not sell the oysters.
The oysters were directly distributed to retailers and distributors in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The oysters may have been distributed further from these states.
The implicated oysters are from Groton Approved area in Connecticut harvested by dealers CT-393-SS, AQ, CT-004-SS, AQ, and CT-020-SS, AQ with lots, L-30 and L-26B1.
On Aug. 31 the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture initiated an emergency precautionary closure of two approved harvest areas and a recall of the implicated oysters because sample results showed potential contamination.
All impacted commercial harvesters agreed to recall the implicated oysters. The affected harvest area will remain closed until the source of contamination is identified and corrected, and the CT Department of Agriculture has collected acceptable sample results to reopen the area.
Contaminated oysters can cause illness, especially if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal. 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.
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