The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended sales and initiated a recall of some frozen oyster products manufactured in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, due to the potential contamination with norovirus. This is the sixth time the FDA has suspended sales of Korean oysters.
The FDA announced on its website that some frozen half-shell oysters produced in Tongyeong may be contaminated with norovirus, leading to a suspension of sales and a recall.
The FDA explained that "restaurants and retailers should not provide or sell potentially contaminated frozen half-shell oysters, and they must dispose of all products or contact distributors for disposal," adding that "consumers who have eaten oysters and are experiencing norovirus symptoms should seek medical attention."
The problematic products are frozen half-shell oysters manufactured by a company in Tongyeong, harvested on Jan. 30 and Feb. 4 of last year. This action follows a report to the FDA on the 7th regarding suspected norovirus contamination in California, where the oysters were first distributed.
Currently, a wholesale distributor in Los Angeles, California, is conducting a recall. However, it has been reported that the oysters are not distributed domestically or do not have remaining stocks. The FDA sent a notice to restaurants and wholesalers advising them not to sell or handle frozen oysters from Korea, and also recommended American consumers not to eat frozen oysters from Korea.
This marks the sixth recall of Korean oyster products by the FDA. Previously, in November 2022, frozen and fresh oysters distributed by DAEWON Foods were suspended from sale in 13 states. Oysters from the same company were also recalled in 2023 after norovirus was detected. Oysters from Tongyeong were suspended for sale in April and May of last year, and products from Geoje were suspended in June due to norovirus contamination.
Norovirus is a virus that causes infectious gastroenteritis in humans through contaminated food. It can survive at low temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius and is a major cause of food poisoning in winter. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, and it is highly contagious, capable of causing infection with just a small number of viral particles, regardless of age. Elderly individuals, children, and infants with weakened immune systems may experience severe complications.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, 700 million people worldwide are infected with norovirus, with 200,000 losing their lives. Norovirus has emerged as one of the top five causes of food poisoning-related deaths.