FDA warns of bacteria in shellfish from NY harbor
WASHINGTON—The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat raw or partially cooked shellfish harvested from New York's Oyster Bay Harbor because they have been linked to cases of foodborne illness in several states.
The agency said Friday that oysters and clams from the Long Island harbor may be contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.
Regulators say consumers should check the tags on their shellfish to identify where they were harvested. If they were harvested in the harbor on or after June 1, consumers should throw them away.
New York officials closed the Nassau County, N.Y. site to shellfish harvesters July 13.
Shellfish from the area were distributed to several states including: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
The FDA says the shellfish have been linked to confirmed and possible cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness. The bacteria can cause illness within a few hours or as late as five days after being consumed.
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