CDPH Warns of Possible Norovirus Infections from Imported Raw Korean Oysters 

 April 26, 2024 
NR24-012 
Contact: media@cdph.ca.gov ​

33 Confirmed and Probable Cases of Norovirus Reported Among Patrons at Three San Diego County Restaurants  

What You Need To Know: CDPH is warning distributors and retailers not to sell and serve frozen raw oysters from JBR, Inc., a company in in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea because they may be linked to outbreaks of norovirus illnesses in California. These oysters were sold at many restaurants and other retail outlets in Southern California.

Sacramento – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning distributors and retailers not to sell or serve frozen raw oysters from JBR, Inc. in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea (ROK) because they may be contaminated with norovirus, a virus that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.  

The product was shipped under the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List unique identifier KR 15 SP and individual product lots may contain the label “Amazing Sea Brand." 

As of April 24, 2024, there have been 33 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus reported among persons who consumed raw oysters at three San Diego County restaurants in late March and April 2024. Investigations by San Diego County public health officials and CDPH identified frozen raw oysters that were harvested on November 26, 2023, January 4, 2024 and February 15, 2024, and packed by JBR, Inc. (KR 15 SP) as the likely source of illness.   

Restaurants and retailers can protect customers by checking their inventory and shellfish labels, ensuring that potentially contaminated raw oysters are not available for purchase, and discarding any leftover contaminated product. 

 Images of the impacted product and additional details are available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Republic of Korea advised the firm to voluntarily initiate a recall of the distributed lots. In addition, two California distributors, Great Wall Seafood LA LLC (April 18, 2024) (recalled lots B2311126 and B2240103) (PDF) and S.J. Distributors LLC (April 20, 2024) (recalled lot B240214) (PDF) have also issued recalls of the product. 

Anyone who becomes ill after eating raw oysters should contact their health care provider and report their illness to their local health department.  

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and can be spread easily from person-to-person, through contaminated surfaces, and by eating contaminated food, including raw or undercooked oysters. Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 12 to 48 hours after a person has come in contact with the virus and can last for 1 to 3 days. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. People who develop symptoms of norovirus infection should consult their health care providers. For more information on norovirus, please see CDPH's norovirus webpage.  

The most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines are available at CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information on consumer shellfish advisories, please visit the CDPH Shellfish Advisories Web page.   ​