Oysters sold by Publix, Walmart and others recalled after ‘norovirus-like’ illnesses
Oysters that came from one particular harvesting area in Louisiana and went to Walmart, Publix and other retailers have been recalled after sicknesses were reported in New Orleans during the weeks preceding Super Bowl Week.
Louisiana’s Department of Health said the 15 “norovirus-like illnesses” were reported between Jan. 15 and Jan. 31 and two people were hospitalized.
Publix, which posted the recall on Thursday, said this covers live, shell-on oysters from store seafood display cases, carrying best by dates from Jan. 10 through Feb. 4. Walmart said this affects select stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. The FDA said this hits restaurants and food sellers in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, and Alabama.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the oysters were served in New Orleans restaurants. They were harvested from “Area 3,” which the department describes as being “east of Lake Borgne, north of Eloi Bay, and includes Chandeleur Islands and surrounding marshes.”
Louisiana’s Department of Health halted molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops) harvesting in Area 3, and recalled all oysters harvested there before Jan. 10. The department expects the area to be closed for at least 21 days.
Norovirus often gets called a “stomach flu,” as it comes with vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes a fever, chills, headache and fatigue for a day or two. It usually hits from 12 hours to two days after something with norovirus is eaten.
If you have the recalled oysters, return them to the store for a refund or throw them away. Do not eat them. Go to a medical professional if you experience symptoms of a foodborne illness.
This story was originally published February 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Oysters sold by Publix, Walmart and others recalled after ‘norovirus-like’ illnesses."
