The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA)is warning consumers not to eat raw or partially cooked oysters and clams(shellfish)with tags listing Oyster Bay Harbor in Nassau County,New York,as the harvest area,because the products may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria.
According to the agency,shellfish harvested from Oyster Bay Harbor have been linked to confirmed and possible cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness.Ill persons reported consumption of raw or partially cooked shellfish from the affected area.
The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation(DEC)closed Oyster Bay Harbor,on 13 July to shellfish harvesting.
All shellfish harvesters,shippers,re-shippers,processors,restaurants,and retail food establishments have been advised to check the identity tags on all containers of shellfish in their inventories.
If the tag indicates the harvest area was Oyster Bay Harbor and a harvest date on or after 1 June 2012,the product should be disposed of and not be sold or served,the agency said.
