Seafood lovers might need to rethink their holiday dinner plans this year as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) investigates yet another outbreak affecting multiple states across the country.
According to a safety alert released by the FDA on Oct. 19, oysters distributed in more than a dozen states may be contaminated with Salmonella, with more than 30 people left sick or hospitalized so far. While the investigation is still ongoing, an abundance of caution is recommended.
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What to Know About the Recalled Oysters
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On Oct. 9, Little Wicomico Oyster Company and the Virginia Department of Health announced a voluntary recall of select batches of shellstock oysters harvested from the Little Wicomico River in Northumberland County, Virginia. These oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in at least 15 states, prompting Virginia state officials to temporarily close the river to shellfish harvesting altogether.
Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is getting involved, stating in an Oct. 19 notice that the recalled oysters could have been distributed beyond the original 15 states named. The states currently affected include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, with Washington D.C. also impacted.
To identify the recalled Little Wicomico Oyster Company oysters at home, look for packaging details showing that they were harvested between Sept. 18 and Oct. 8, 2026. These oysters are whole, shellstock oysters with shellfish shipper number VA-1421-SP.
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You Have the Recalled Oysters at Home, Now What?
Salmonella is no joke. Symptoms can occur within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food, and they can last for anywhere from four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, though children younger than five, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience more severe infections.
If you think you have the recalled oysters at home, the CDC recommends not eating them and throwing them away entirely. And if you are experiencing symptoms after consumption, contact your health care provider as soon as possible.
Lastly, after getting rid of the recalled oysters, it’s important to properly sanitize the area where they were stored, as Salmonella can spread to items or surfaces that may have come into contact with the oysters. Wash your countertops, tables, refrigerators and freezers with hot, soapy water, and run any affected dishes through the dishwasher.
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