State health officials issue recall for frozen raw oysters

The state Health Department issued a recall today for frozen raw oysters possibly contaminated with Norovirus. The oysters were imported from Korea and sold to food establishments.

The affected oysters are sold under the Dai One Food Company label with harvest dates between Feb. 10 to 13.

Health officials have already taken steps to ensure the recalled oysters were isolated, but issued a recall out of an abundance of caution.

“The department has already conducted product trace-backs and embargoed all of the suspect product on Nov. 24 at various local shellfish distributors and restaurants,” said Peter Oshiro, “Although this product is not sold directly to the public, a recall has been issued as an additional safeguard to further notify anyone who may possess the product that it is unsafe and should be destroyed.”

Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and headaches with onset of symptoms usually occurring within 12-48 hrs after consuming contaminated food. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a physician and if foodborne illness is suspected and report it to the DOH Disease Investigation Branch at (808) 586-4586.