Raw Oyster Recall Issued After Linked Illnesses in California and Beyond

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced today that illnesses in California—and potentially in other states—are connected to oysters distributed by S&M Shellfish Company of San Francisco.

The recalled oysters, harvested January 25–26 and January 29–30, 2026, from Nanoose Bay harvest areas (BC 17-20, CLF #1401656), include the following brands and types:

• Kusshi oysters

• Chrome Point oysters

• Stellar Bay oysters

• Stellar Bay Gold oysters

Shellfish tags list the original harvester/producer as BC 0741 SS, along with various certification numbers (e.g., WS Cert No 1D47).

These oysters were shipped to multiple states, including California. A full recall is now in effect.

CDPH is urging consumers, retailers, and restaurants to:

• Immediately stop selling or serving the affected oysters

• Discard any remaining stock securely

• Return products to the place of purchase for a refund if possible

The announcement does not detail the number of illnesses reported, the specific pathogen responsible, or the severity of cases. The brief release did not state what pathogen caused these illnesses, but in the past, oysters have been linked to or associated with outbreaks of norovirus, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, Vibrio, and E. coli. Anyone who has eaten these oysters is advised to monitor for food poisoning symptoms over the coming week and seek medical attention if illness develops, informing healthcare providers about possible exposure to these oysters.

Source: https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2026/illnesses-in-california-linked-to-sm-shellfish-oysters/