US FDA issues norovirus contamination warning for Fortune brand oysters from Nova Scotia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about potential norovirus contamination in oysters sold by Whitehead, Nova Scotia, Canada-based Bill and Stanley Oyster Co., which operates the Fortune Oysters brand.

The oysters flagged by the FDA were harvested from the NS 10 oyster-harvesting area in Nova Scotia on 9 June, 2023, and were distributed to restaurants and stores across 17 U.S. states – California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia. The potentially contaminated oysters contain the original shipper certification number NS 6024 SS WS on the attached product tag.

“The FDA is working to obtain additional information on distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation, provide assistance to state authorities, and update our communications to the public as needed,” the U.S. food safety watchdog said in a press release. “Consumers, especially those who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, who have recently consumed raw oysters and suspect they have food poisoning should seek medical care immediately.”

The FDA is advising that consumers and retailers dispose of the oysters in the potentially contaminated batch, and to ensure any containers that came in contact with the product in question are thoroughly sanitized.  

The outbreak was first noted by the Minnesota Department of Health, which reported a nine-case norovirus outbreak to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on 30 June. The state has not reported any deaths from the outbreak.

“Contaminated shellfish can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems,” the FDA said. “Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of norovirus illness should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local health department.”

According to the CDC, the most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, and other symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus, and most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

“The U.S. FDA is working with federal, state, and local officials, and with Canadian public health authorities to investigate this outbreak, obtain additional information on distribution of the oysters, and determine if additional illnesses have occurred," the FDA said. 

Photo courtesy of Fortune Oysters