Union Bay Seafood Ltd., headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, has commenced a recall of three types of Pacific oysters after concerns over a link to the rise of a potential norovirus.
“The recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak,” says Marie-Pier Burelle, media relations officer for Health Canada.
The Union Bay products under the recall consist of:
- Pacific Oysters, Chef Creek Xsm in five-dozen containers with the code: Harvest location: BC 14-8, Landfile: 1402060, Lot: W20200211, Harvest date: 10 Feb. 2020
- Pacific Oysters, Cascadia Xsm in 5-dozen containers with the code: Harvest location: BC 14-8, Landfile: 1402060, Lot: W20200211, Harvest date: 10 Feb. 2020
- Pacific Oysters, Royal Miyagi Xsm in 5-dozen containers with the code: Harvest location: BC 14-8, Landfile: 1402060, Lot: W20200211, Harvest date: 10 Feb. 2020
The CFIA noted that these oysters have been sold in B.C., Alberta, and Manitoba, and may have been also distributed nationally throughout Canada. An investigation is still ongoing. “The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products,” a spokesperson for the CFIA says. “If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.”
The CFIA has verified that Union Bay is eradicating the recalled merchandise from the marketplace.
This marks the second Canadian company faced with a recall to oysters this year after investigations into reported illnesses associated with the norovirus. In February, Heriot Bay seafood company and Sawmill Bay Shellfish Co. Ltd., also recalled two brands of Pacific Oysters from the market.
Public health officials are advising retailers to check to see if they have the oysters on hand, and if so, to discard them immediately. Consumers who have already purchased the oysters can either return them to the place of purchase or discard them.
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