The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert concerning norovirus contamination in shellfish products harvested from Washington state’s Pickering Passage growing area. The alert affects oysters and Manila clams harvested by Rudy’s Shellfish between November 15 and December 11, 2024, with distribution across multiple states.
The contaminated shellfish have been traced to Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Washington, though the agency noted possible wider distribution. Washington state authorities initiated the recall on December 12, 2024, after detecting potential norovirus contamination in products from Rudy’s Shellfish, operating under certification number WA-1590-SS.
Consuming contaminated shellfish poses health risks to the general population, with heightened concern for immunocompromised individuals. According to FDA reports, contaminated seafood maintains normal appearance, odor, and taste despite viral presence, making visual inspection unreliable for detecting contamination.
The virus typically manifests symptoms within a 12 to 48-hour window following exposure. Primary symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and acute stomach pain. Additional symptoms may present as fever, headache, and widespread body aches. While most patients recover within one to three days, the illness can trigger intense episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dangerous dehydration levels.
Dehydration risks are particularly significant for vulnerable populations, including young children, elderly individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. Medical professionals advise monitoring for decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness upon standing. In pediatric cases, parents should watch for reduced tear production during crying and unusual patterns of sleepiness or irritability.
The FDA has implemented immediate action requirements for food service businesses. Restaurants and retailers must cease all sales and service of affected products, with instructions to either dispose of items or coordinate returns with distributors for destruction. To prevent viral spread, businesses must follow strict sanitization protocols, including thorough hand washing, comprehensive surface cleaning, and proper sanitization of all food preparation equipment and storage containers.
Public health officials have stressed the importance of cross-contamination prevention in commercial settings. Food service operations must pay particular attention to cleaning cutting surfaces, utensils, and any equipment that may have contacted contaminated shellfish. Regular sanitization of food contact surfaces remains crucial in minimizing transmission risks.
Consumer guidance extends to individuals who may have purchased affected shellfish products. Those experiencing symptoms after consumption should seek medical attention and report their cases to local health departments. Healthcare providers have been advised to remain on alert for norovirus symptoms, particularly in regions where contaminated products were distributed.
Product identification relies on shellfish tags attached to containers, which display essential tracking information including the Pickering Passage harvest location, Rudy’s Shellfish certification number (WA-1590-SS), and harvest dates between November 15 and December 11, 2024. This information helps both consumers and retailers identify potentially contaminated products.
The FDA is closely watching the situation and is working in coordination with state health authorities to monitor potential cases and track product distribution. The agency has said it will provide updated safety information as new details emerge about the scope and impact of the contamination.
Consumers and food service providers seeking guidance about potentially contaminated products should contact their suppliers or local health authorities.
Food Poisoning News has featured a number of articles this year on the potential dangers of consuming raw shellfish and as well as several shellfish recalls due to contamination with a variety of pathogens:
- YouTuber shares tragic loss of girlfriend from consuming raw oysters
- FDA alert on potential paralytic shellfish poisoning risk from British Columbia oysters
- New Zealand recalls Te Matuku oysters due to norovirus contamination
- Malpeque brand large standard oysters recalled in Canada due to E. coli contamination
- FDA issues safety alert on contaminated oysters from Massachusetts
- FDA alert on potentially contaminated oysters from Korea
- Mesa County CO food safety alert due to potential norovirus contamination in frozen oysters
- San Diego norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters
Commenting on this article, the national’s leading norovirus lawyer said, “Robust food safety monitoring systems and rapid response protocols in protecting public health in incidents like this are critically important .As with all food recalls, I strongly advise consumers to discontinue use of the affected products even if they look or smell safe to eat. This is especially important when food has been potentially contaminated with norovirus because there is no scent or smell that may indicate contamination or spoilage.”
