Canada recalls shellfish after US Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain oysters or clams and added that consumers who are unsure if they have purchased affected items should contact their retailer.
Canadian importers are recalling the affected products, which include Blue point or Atlantic oysters, Littleneck and Cherrystone clams from the marketplace.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced a recall of oysters and clams from certain Norwalk and Westport harvest areas, reporting that they were implicated in a number of illnesses in the US.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the oysters and clams in Canada.
“We are advising the public not to consume shellfish obtained from the closed recreational and commercial areas, and to discard recalled shellfish to reduce the risk of contaminating other food and food contact surfaces,” said Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
“I want to emphasize the importance of heeding this advice. If there is any doubt, throw it out, regardless of how much you love shellfish.”
Symptoms of V. parahaemolyticus infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills with symptoms usually appearing 12-24 hours after eating contaminated shellfish and can last two to seven days.
