FDA Warns 9 States Over Potentially Tainted Oysters, Clams

Agency urges restaurants, retailers to discard shellfish potentially contaminated with norovirus

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The FDA has issued a warning that some raw oysters and Manila clams harvested in Washington may be contaminated with norovirus. The agency is telling retailers and restaurants not to serve or sell the implicated shellfish and to discard them or arrange for their destruction through distributors. The Lummi Indian Business Council had already issued its own advisory about the potential norovirus contamination.

Why it matters

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, and the FDA is taking steps to prevent the public from consuming potentially tainted shellfish in order to protect public health. This incident highlights the importance of food safety regulations and the need for vigilance in the seafood supply chain.

The details

The FDA's warning covers specific batches of raw oysters harvested in Washington by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council between Feb. 13 and March 3. The agency is urging restaurants and retailers to discard any of these products to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Eating contaminated shellfish can trigger norovirus symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and dehydration within 13 to 48 hours.

  • The FDA issued the warning on Monday, March 11, 2026.
  • The Lummi Indian Business Council had issued its own advisory on Friday, March 8, 2026.
  • The Washington State Department of Health has halted all shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor until at least March 24, 2026.

The players

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency responsible for protecting public health by regulating the safety of food, drugs, and other products.

Drayton Harbor Oyster Company

A shellfish harvesting company in Washington state whose raw oysters were potentially contaminated with norovirus.

Lummi Indian Business Council

The governing body of the Lummi Nation, a Native American tribe in Washington state, whose Manila clams were potentially contaminated with norovirus.

Teresa Taylor

The interim director of the Lummi Nation's Office of Economic Policy.

Washington State Department of Health

The state agency that has halted all shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor until further notice.

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What they’re saying

“Shellfish harvesting is both an important economic activity and a cultural tradition for our Lummi people. While closures like the one in Drayton Harbor can impact harvesters and businesses, these precautionary steps help ensure the long-term health of the resource and maintain public confidence in the safety of our shellfish.”

— Teresa Taylor, Interim Director, Lummi Nation Office of Economic Policy (KUOW)

What’s next

The Washington State Department of Health has halted all shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor until at least March 24, 2026, to allow for further investigation and testing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of robust food safety regulations and the need for close collaboration between government agencies, shellfish harvesters, and the public to ensure the safety of the seafood supply. It also underscores the cultural and economic significance of shellfish harvesting for indigenous communities like the Lummi Nation.