Canadian Government Announces Funding To Support PEI Oyster Industry After MSX Outbreak

Last month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) declared a control zone after the first case of Haplosporidium nelsoni — also known as multinucleate sphere unknown, or MSX— was confirmed in Prince Edward Island (PEI) oysters. Now, the government is offering up funding to support the PEI oyster industry. 

“Prince Edward Island has long been known for its delicious and fresh quality oysters,” said Diane Lebouthillier, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “The recent detection of MSX in oysters in PEI reminds us...

FDA Announces Additional Oyster Recalls Due To Potential Campylobacter

The FDA issued an advisory for the recall of certain oysters from Massachusetts as they may be contaminated with campylobacter. This is the second FDA warning issued for oysters potentially contaminated with the illness.

On July 18 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) was notified of four campylobacter illnesses linked to two Massachusetts certified oyster dealers — Chatham Shellfish Co. and Island Creek Oysters. According to the FDA, the oysters in question were harvested between July 1, 2024 and July 18, 2024 from the two leased sites in the...

FDA Issues Advisory For Certain Oysters From Maine

The FDA is warning restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell certain oysters from Recompense Cove, Freeport, Maine, as they may potentially be contaminated with Campylobacter.

An advisory was issued by the government agency on Thursday to alert restaurants and retailers in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Ontario, Canada. The oysters in question were harvested between June 19, 2024 and July 16, 2024 from harvest areas CAS RC2 and...

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Declares Control Zone After First Case of MSX Found In PEI Oysters

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the first case of Haplosporidium nelsoni — also known as multinucleate sphere unknown, or MSX — in Prince Edward Island (PEI) oysters. Previously MSX had only been found in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

MSX is an infection that can cause disease in cultured and wild American and Pacific cupped oysters. While MSX does not pose a risk to human health, it can lead to decreased rates of growth in oysters, or even increased mortality in...

FDA Issues Advisory For Canadian Oysters Potentially Contaminated With PSP

On Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve certain oysters that were harvested in British Columbia, Canada.

The oysters in question were distributed by Dailyfresh Shellfish, Inc. with lot #240531JM. It’s believed that the oysters, which were harvested from Subarea 23-10 in BC, Canada on May 30, 2024, may be contaminated with toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). This advisory comes about a week after the FDA issued a warning for shellfish harvested from Washington and Oregon due...

Korean Oyster Recall Expanded Again After Initial April Notice

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again expanded the recall of certain frozen half-shell oysters from the Republic of Korea.

The initial recall notice for oysters from Korea was published in April following a report of illnesses in California that were associated with the consumption of oysters. The recall was expanded in late May after illnesses were reported in Utah. Now, a new recall expands on the previous two.

According to the latest FDA update, Korea’s JBR is voluntarily recalling all frozen half-shell oysters that were...

Georgia’s Commercial Oyster Season Set To Close As Warmer Waters Bring Risk of Bacteria

With warmer months bringing risk of bacteria, the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced that the annual closure for commercial oyster harvesting, as well as recreational, will go into effect on June 1, 2024. 

“The safety and health of our residents and visitors are our top priority,” commented Dominic Guadagnoli, CRD’s head of Shellfish and Water Quality. “By closing the shellfish harvest season during the summer months, we significantly reduce the risk of bacterial infections that...

CFIA Confirms Presence of MSX in Additional Locations on PEI

Multinuclear sphere x (MSX), an infection that can cause disease in oysters, has been confirmed in additional locations on Prince Edward Island (PEI).

As Seafoodnews reported earlier this week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the first case of Haplosporidium nelsoni, also known as MSX, in the Bedeque Bay area. While not considered dangerous to humans, MSX can lead to decreased rates of growth in oysters, or even increased mortality in oysters. Because of this, CFIA declared a Primary Control Zone (PCZ) in and around...

Summer Olympic Games: Seafood’s Place During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 

The 2024 Olympics officially open in Paris Friday night, bringing together the most talented athletes from around the world for the most anticipated event of the summer. While all eyes will be on stars like Simon Biles, LeBron James and Sha’carri Richardson, it’s important to highlight what’s fueling these competitors…like seafood...

FDA Issues Warning About IQF Oysters From Republic of Korea

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory late last week, warning restaurants and retailers in California and Hawaii not to sell certain individually quick frozen (IQF) oysters from the Republic of Korea. The oysters, which are a product of Central Fisheries Co., may potentially be contaminated with norovirus.

Norovirus can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. On June 13 the Hawaii Department of Health alerted the FDA to an outbreak of norovirus illnesses associated with the consumption of certain IQF oysters from...

FDA Advisory Issued For Shellfish Harvested From Washington and Oregon

Last week Oregon health officials issued a warning to throw out mussels harvested along the state’s coast after at least 20 people got sick. Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) subsequently announced that they would be closing shellfish harvesting along the entire coast. And now, the FDA is issuing a warning to restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell certain shellfish from Oregon and Washington as they may be contaminated with toxins that cause...

FDA Expands Recall of Korean Half-Shell Oysters

In April the FDA issued a recall for frozen, raw, half-shell oysters from the Republic of Korea. The initial recall warned of oysters processed by JBR in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea, and shipped to distributors in California. An update from the FDA reveals that the recall has expanded into Utah.

This week JBR issued a recall for frozen half-shell oysters with lot number B231227. The recall is because the oysters may be contaminated with norovirus. 

The oysters in question were harvested from...