Category Archives: Norovirus Oysters

Hood Line

A shellfish shakedown is sweeping through San Diego County after 33 people fell ill, contracting norovirus likely linked to frozen raw oysters imported from a company in South Korea, health officials said.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is sounding the alarm, telling distributors and retailers to halt sales and service of frozen raw oysters from JBR, Inc., located in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea; these shellfish are suspected culprits behind a string of gastroenteritis cases among eaters in late March and April. These specific oysters arrived bearing the label “Amazing Sea Brand.” They have been traced back to being harvested on several dates—November 26, 2023, January 4, and February 15—and San Diego County public health officials, alongside the CDPH’s investigation, pointed to these as the likely source of the virus transmission, according to a statement obtained by the California Department of Public Health.

FDA

Audience

• Restaurants and food retailers in California that have recently purchased Lots B231126, B240103, and B240214 of frozen, raw, half-shell oysters processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on 11/27/2023, 1/4/2024, and 2/15/2024.
• Consumers and retailers in California who have recently purchased lots B231126, B240103, and B240214 of frozen, raw, half-shell oysters processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on 11/27/2023, 1/4/2024, and 2/15/2024.

Products

Frozen, raw, half-shell oysters Lots B231126 and B240103, harvested from Designated Area No. 1 on 11/26/2023 and 1/3/2024, and Lot B240214 harvested from Designated Area No. 2 on 2/14/2024, and processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on 11/27/2023, 1/4/2024, and 2/15/2024. Lots B240103 and B240214 may be labeled with Amazing Sea Brand. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California and may have been distributed to other states as well.

The photos below are included as an example of product tag and case labeling from one (1) of the three (3) lots identified above and include information specific to Lot B231126, harvested from Designated Area No. 1 on 11/26/2023 with production date 11/27/2023. The tag and label information for Lot(s) B240103 and B240214 would include similar corresponding details appropriate to each Lot.

Summary of Problem and Scope

On 4/9/2024, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) notified the FDA of an outbreak of norovirus illnesses associated with consumption of oysters from the Republic of Korea. On 4/15/2024, authorities at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Republic of Korea advised the firm to voluntarily initiate a recall of the distributed lots of frozen, raw, half-shell oysters due to possible norovirus contamination. The distributed lots include frozen, raw, half-shell oysters Lots B231126 and B240103, harvested from Designated Area No. 1, and Lot B240214, harvested from Designated Area No. 2, and processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on 11/27/2023, 1/4/2024, and 2/15/2024, and shipped to distributors in California. The product may have been distributed to other states as well.