The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of, oysters that were harvested between 11/17/2022 and 12/7/2022 from area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas, due to possible norovirus contamination. These oysters were sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution.
Consumers who purchased oysters after Nov. 17 should check the packaging to see if they were harvested in TX 1. Packaged oysters include harvest area information on the packaging. Contaminated oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell and taste normal. 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.