2 min read- The FDA has issued an alert advising the public not to consume certain raw oysters and Manila clams.
- The shellfish, harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Lummi Indian Business Council, may be contaminated with norovirus.
- Restaurants, retailers, and consumers are being urged not to serve, sell, or eat the affected products.
The sun may be shining, and the weather may be warming up, but it’s apparently not time for oyster season quite yet. The FDA has issued an alert advising against consuming certain raw oysters and Manila clams due to possible norovirus contamination. As many people know, norovirus can cause unpleasant symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Eating contaminated shellfish can cause illness, and may be especially severe for people with compromised immune systems.
According to the advisory, the affected products include raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council. Both were harvested between February 13 and March 3, 2026, and shipped to distributors in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington.
The FDA is advising restaurants, food retailers, and consumers not to serve, sell, or eat the affected shellfish. Instead, the products should be thrown away or distributors should be contacted to arrange for destruction.
The agency also notes that restaurants and retailers should be aware of the risk of cross-contamination, since the shellfish may carry pathogens. Employees should wash their hands with warm water and soap after handling the products, and any containers or surfaces used to store or come into contact with the shellfish should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
Additionally, consumers experiencing norovirus symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare provider.
As of publication, the FDA says it is still awaiting additional information on product distribution and will continue monitoring the investigation, updating its safety alert as needed.