FDA Warns Public Against Potentially Contaminated Korean Oysters Distributed in 10 States

Federal authorities have issued an urgent health alert regarding frozen, raw, half-shell oysters originating from the Republic of Korea, cautioning that the product may be contaminated with norovirus. The affected oysters, harvested on January 30, 2025, from Designated Area No. 1 in Korea and processed by facility JBR KR-15-SP in Tongyeong-si, were distributed by Khee Trading Inc. to restaurants and retailers across ten U.S. states, with potential spread to other regions.

The product in question bears the lot code B250130 and was shipped to Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington. Khee Trading, based in Compton, California, issued a voluntary recall on May 19, 2025, after the California Department of Public Health linked the oysters to a norovirus outbreak first reported on May 15. Norovirus is a highly contagious pathogen known to cause gastrointestinal illness, especially dangerous to young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Though the oysters may appear, smell, and taste normal, the FDA advises against consumption of the product and has instructed restaurants and food retailers to remove it from shelves and dispose of any existing stock. Food service operators are also urged to take precautions against cross-contamination by sanitizing surfaces and equipment, and by enforcing proper hand hygiene among employees. Consumers who have purchased oysters with the lot code B250130 are advised to discard them immediately.

The most common symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea, typically developing within 12 to 48 hours after exposure. The illness usually resolves within a few days, but dehydration is a concern, especially among vulnerable populations. The FDA continues to monitor the situation and will update the advisory as more information becomes available.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) press release

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