San Francisco's S&M Shellfish Co. has issued an "urgent product recall" for oysters amid concerns of potential norovirus contamination. The oysters in question, shipped under the names Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi, were harvested off the coast of British Columbia from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9 and have since been distributed across multiple U.S. states, including California, New York, and Florida, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Health officials are on high alert, given the symptoms associated with norovirus: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasized that food tainted with norovirus might appear normal to the senses but can pose a serious health threat. Particularly at risk are "vulnerable groups such as young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems," as highlighted in the FDA's statement, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
Impacted consumers who have any of these oysters are urged to refrain from eating them. Instead, the FDA advises them to contact their healthcare provider if symptoms arise and to report any illnesses to their local health department. An official recall notice on the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference website provides details for distributors and retailers to identify the recalled products by their certification numbers and harvest locations.
While the investigation into the precise cause of the contamination is ongoing, S&M Shellfish Co. is working closely with health authorities. Established in 1992 and operating from Fisherman’s Wharf's famed Pier 45, the company implores businesses with the affected product to cease distribution, isolate the inventory as "NOT SAFE," and either return it or destroy it under health department oversight. Retailers and restaurants are advised to immediately remove these oysters from their offerings, ensuring customer health remains a top priority, as stated in the recall notice.
