FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Recalled Shellfish from a Portion of Hammersley Inlet, WA, Due to Potential Norovirus Contamination

April 17, 2026

Audience

Consumers, restaurants and food retailers in California (CA), Oregon (OR), Texas (TX), and Washington (WA) that have purchased recalled shellfish harvested by Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS) with harvest dates March 22 through April 9, 2026.

Product

Recalled shellfish from Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS) harvested on March 22 through April 9, 2026, from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, WA. The shellfish were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, OR, TX, and WA, and may have been distributed to other states as well.

Purpose

The FDA is advising consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat, serve, or sell and to dispose of recalled shellfish harvested by Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS) from March 22 through April 9, 2026, from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, WA and shipped to distributors in CA, OR, TX, and WA, because they may be contaminated with norovirus.

Shellfish contaminated with norovirus can cause illness if eaten, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department. Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever may be associated with gastroenteritis infections caused by this organism.

Symptoms of Norovirus

People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your healthcare provider.

Summary of Problem and Scope

On April 10, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health advised the FDA of a recall (Notices | Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference) of certain shellfish due to norovirus-like illnesses associated with consumption of raw oysters. The recall includes all species of shellstock from Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS), harvested on March 22 through April 9, 2026, from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, WA.

FDA Actions

The FDA is issuing this alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat recalled shellfish from Gomez Shellfish, LLC (WA-1724-SS) harvested on March 22 through April 9, 2026, from portions of Hammersley Inlet, WA, due to potential norovirus contamination. The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the raw oysters and clams harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert.

Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell recalled shellfish. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any recalled products by throwing them in the garbage or contacting their distributor to arrange for destruction.
Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. Their employees should follow the steps below:

Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Recommendations for Consumers

Consumers should not eat recalled shellfish.

Consumers who have symptoms of norovirus infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event, visit Get Assistance from the FDA Human Food Program.