FDA issued a health alert regarding oysters harvested from Cedar Key, FL harvested from December though February due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. "To date, there have been 8 cases linked to this outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama."
The issue of course, is when contaminated oysters are eaten raw or near-raw. Oysters, as filter feeders, are problematic when there are microbiological contaminants in the waters from where the oysters are harvested. More often we see viral contaminants - such as Hepatitis A or Norovirus or the bacterial foodborne pathogen species Vibrio vulnificus or Vibrio parahaemolyticus. But Salmonella is also a concern, as seen in this case.
The notice states "The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of recalled wild harvest oysters from FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida, harvested between December 16, 2022, and February 24, 2023, due to possible Salmonella contamination. These oysters were sold in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. " "On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued an emergency closure order for wild harvest oysters from harvest area FL-3012 and initiated a recall." That recall notice is posted below.
https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-retailers-and-consumers-avoid-recalled-wild-harvest-oysters-harvest-area-fl
FDA Advises Restaurants, Retailers and Consumers to Avoid Recalled Wild Harvest Oysters from Harvest Area FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida Potentially Contaminated with Salmonella
Audience
- Restaurants and food retailers that have received shipments of wild harvest oysters from harvest area FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida, harvested between December 16, 2022, and February 24, 2023.
- Consumers who have recently purchased oysters from area FL-3012 sold in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
- Wild harvest oysters from FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida, harvested between December 16, 2022, and February 24, 2023. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution.
- Packaged oysters include harvest area information on the packaging.
Purpose
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of recalled wild harvest oysters from FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida, harvested between December 16, 2022, and February 24, 2023, due to possible Salmonella contamination. These oysters were sold in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Consumers who purchased oysters after December 16, 2022, should check the packaging to see if they were wild harvest oysters from FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida. Contaminated oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with Salmonella may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.
Summary of Problem and Scope
The Florida Department of Health and the state health departments of Georgia and Alabama have detected a Salmonella outbreak associated with the consumption of raw oysters harvested from shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida. To date, there have been 8 cases linked to this outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued an emergency closure order for wild harvest oysters from harvest area FL-3012 and initiated a recallExternal Link Disclaimer of wild harvest oysters from harvest area FL-3012 in Cedar Key that were harvested from December 16, 2022, to February 24, 2023. On February 24, the State of Florida also notified the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference of the closure and recall. Florida Department of Health posted an advisory bulletin on February 28. 2023.
FDA Actions
The FDA is issuing this alert advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, recalled wild harvest oysters from FL-3012, Cedar Key, Florida, harvested between December 16, and February 24, 2023, due to possible Salmonella contamination. The FDA will assist with and coordinate interstate notification efforts as necessary pending receipt of shellfish distribution information.
Symptoms of Salmonellosis
Most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.
Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 450 persons in the United States die each year from acute salmonellosis.
Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their healthcare provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble a Salmonella infection.
Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers
Restaurants and retailers should not sell the potentially contaminated oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any potentially contaminated products by throwing them in the garbage or returning to their distributor for destruction.
Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that oysters and other filter-feeding bivalve molluscan shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:
Most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.
Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 450 persons in the United States die each year from acute salmonellosis.
Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their healthcare provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble a Salmonella infection.
Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers
Restaurants and retailers should not sell the potentially contaminated oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any potentially contaminated products by throwing them in the garbage or returning to their distributor for destruction.
Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that oysters and other filter-feeding bivalve molluscan shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:
- Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
- Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
- Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
- Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDOH/bulletins/34bca9b
Florida Department of Health Advises on Oyster Food Safety
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the state health departments of Georgia and Alabama have detected a Salmonella outbreak associated with the consumption of raw oysters harvested from shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida. To date, there have been 8 cases linked to this outbreak within Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
On February 24, 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closed shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 for the harvest of wild oysters and initiated a recall of these wild oysters harvested from December 16, 2022, to February 24, 2023.
Do not eat oysters included in this recall.
Individuals should be aware of the current elevated risk of illness associated with raw oyster consumption. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated product. Most people recover without treatment.
In rare circumstances, infection can produce more severe illness and require hospitalization. Older adults, infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of developing a severe illness and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise.
For more information regarding this recall, please visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website at https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Aquaculture.
About the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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