FDA: Dont Eat Shellfish from NYs Oyster Bay Harbor

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers on the East Coast not to eat raw or partially cooked oysters and clams with tags listing Oyster Bay Harbor, in Nassau County, N.Y., as the harvest area, because they have been linked to cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria illnesses in several states.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness is typically characterized by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms begin from a few hours to as many as five days after consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly shellfish.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) closed Oyster Bay Harbor on July 13 to shellfish harvesting. All shellfish harvesters, shippers, reshippers, processors, restaurants and retail food establishments have been advised to check the identity tags on all containers of shellfish in their inventories. If the tag indicates the harvest area was Oyster Bay Harbor and a harvest date on or after June 1, 2012, the product should be disposed of and not be sold or served.

Shellfish from the area were distributed to several states, including, but not limited to, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.