US FDA issues food safety warning for oysters from multiple Canadian companies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning about certain oysters from Fanny Bay, British Columbia, Canada-based Taylor Shellfish Canada, which operates as Fanny Bay Oysters.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified the FDA that Taylor Fanny Bay Oysters (BC 0773 SP,WS) issued a voluntary recall of live oysters due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus test results.

The affected oysters were shipped to two distributors in the U.S. states of California and Washington, which distributed them to restaurants and food retailers in the two states and possibly other states.

“Oysters with high levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause illness if eaten raw, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems,” the FDA said in its notice. "Food containing Vibrio parahaemolyticus may look, smell, and taste normal.”

The implicated products include Xsmall Sunseeker Oysters with Lot Number 38336 and wet storage lot numbers (W/S Lot #) w72297 and w72240. The oysters were from harvest area 14-8, Landfile #278757 with an original harvest date of 17 October 2023 with final harvest/process dates of 25 October and 26 October on product tags/labeling.

“The FDA is issuing this alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell and consumers not to eat oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters harvested on 17 October 2023 from harvest area 14-8, Landfile #278757 due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus test results,” the agency said.

The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters harvested, and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

In a separate notice last week, the FDA warned about certain oysters from Prince Edward Island, Canada that may be contaminated with salmonella and E.coli. 

The FDA advised restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and consumers not to eat, oysters from Bedeque, Prince Edward Island-based Future Seafoods, Inc. harvested on 10 October 2023 from harvest area PE9B due to contamination from salmonella and unacceptable levels of generic E. Coli.

The oysters were distributed to retailers, restaurants, and consumers in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

On 10 October, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested oysters and discovered the presence of salmonella and E. coli. On 18 October, the CFIA informed the FDA of the testing results of the contaminated product, the FDA said.

Canada is investigating the cause of the food safety problem and Future Seafoods has not yet initiated a recall.

“The FDA is awaiting further information on the distribution of the oysters harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert,” the agency said.

Fanny Bay Oysters were also part of a large recall in 2022 related to a norovirus outbreak.

The USDA also declared a recall on Yuxiang Aquatic brand Oyster Balls, Shrimp Balls, and Shrimp Balls with Cheese on 28 October, for undeclared egg, fish, gluten, milk, and soy. 

According to the FDA, the products were distributed to British Columbia, Canada. 

Photo courtesy of 5m/Shutterstock