The FDA has issued a British Columbia oyster advisory warning restaurants, retailers, and consumers not to serve or eat certain oysters harvested from Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, Canada due to potential contamination with norovirus.
This advisory applies to oysters harvested from:
- Harvest Area: BC 17-20 (Nanoose Bay)
- Processor: Stellar Bay Shellfish Ltd.
- CLF #: 1401656
- Original Harvest Dates:
- December 30, 2025
- January 20, 2026
- January 26, 2026
- January 29, 2026
- December 30, 2025
The affected oysters were distributed to suppliers in:
CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MD, NV, NY, PA, and WA.
Why This Matters
Norovirus is highly contagious and can cause gastroenteritis.
Symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal.
What Restaurants and Retailers Should Do
- Do not serve or sell affected oysters.
- Check shellfish tags and harvest information.
- Contact suppliers immediately.
- Follow guidance from local health departments.
Consumers experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and report illness to their local health department.
The FDA continues to monitor the investigation and will update the advisory as new information becomes available.
Yum’s Food Watch Reminder
Shellfish advisories often impact restaurants first. If you enjoy raw oysters or dine out frequently, staying informed about harvest areas and advisories can help you make safer choices.
See more FDA alerts in our Food Watch section.
Read the official FDA advisory.