NATIONWIDE — THE FDA ADVISES RESTAURANTS AND FOOD RETAILERS NOT TO SERVE OR SELL recalled oysters from Recompense Cove in Freeport, Maine, because they may be contaminated with campylobacter bacteria. Consumers have been advised to avoid eating these oysters and to dispose of them. The affected oysters were harvested between June 19 and July 16, and shipped to Ontario, Canada; New York, New England, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland; and states as far west as California. Even though they may look, smell and taste normal, oysters contaminated with campylobacter bacteria can cause illness if eaten raw and potentially life-threatening illness in people with compromised immune systems.
Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any recalled products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction. Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment.
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