Raw oysters served at an event in Los Angeles celebrating the best local restaurants have been linked to a possible norovirus outbreak, sickening at least 80 people, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed to food website LA Taco, ABC News and Los Angeles Times.
Next LA Times 101 Best Restaurants event at the Hollywood Palladium on Dec. 3, dozens of attendees reported symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting, time he reported on Thursday, December 19.
LA Taco first reported the incident, according to time. The raw oysters in question were provided by Fanny Bay Oysters, time spokeswoman Hillary Manning said, according to the outlet.
Hollywood Palladium, October 2019.
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According to Manning, the oysters — which have since been recalled — were sourced by the event’s sponsor, Santa Monica Seafood. (Santa Monica Seafood said The New York Times (The oysters associated with the outbreak were acquired by another seafood company, which voluntarily recalled the product.)
“We have been producing culinary events for many years and take food safety very seriously,” Manning said in a statement to Los Angeles Times via e-mail.
Woman dies of flesh-eating bacteria after eating oysters: ‘She knew she was dying,’ says relative
“As is the case with each of our events, we had protocols in place and, based on an inspection by the LA County Department of Public Health, followed all relevant safety standards,” Manning continued. “We also know the care that every chef and restaurant puts into preparing and serving food to our community.”
PEOPLE reached out to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
3 dead, 1 hospitalized due to flesh-eating bacteria found in raw oysters and saltwater
“At this time, more than 80 participants who consumed oysters have reported illness,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health told ABC News.
Because the oysters were supplied by Fanny Bay, the company recalled its affected products with a packing date of November 25, 2024 or later from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co. The New York Times.
Owner of Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co. Leigh Loader said they have already stopped deliveries. “We’re very diligent — the whole industry here,” he said The New York Times. “Nothing will reopen until the government here is more than happy that there is no chance of further illness.”
A week after LA Times 101 event event Best Restaurants, the California Department of Public Health issued a warning on December 13 not to eat raw oysters harvested from British Columbia.
Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration has advised restaurants and retailers not to sell oysters due to possible norovirus contamination.
Mark Kapczynski told LA Taco that he paid between $600 and $700 for two VIP tickets to the event, adding that he and his wife became so ill after consuming the food that he “collapsed” in his home.
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raw oysters — picture.
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“They crammed so many people into that place,” he said of the venue. “Someone who was sick may have sneezed on the food.”
Kapczynski also noted that the oysters were “standing outside wide open.”
“I feel like that could have been it,” he said.
Kapczynski also said The New York Times he missed several days of work after consuming food at the event and “could barely walk.”
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“It was a disaster,” he said. “These are the best restaurants in LA. You think you’re safe. It’s not what you expect.”
According to LA Taco, which said it spoke to 11 attendees, including one of its staff members who fell ill, a health department spokesperson issued the following statement without referring to Los Angeles Times specific gathering: “The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a norovirus outbreak linked to oysters served at an event on December 3, 2024.”
“Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States,” reports the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), urging individuals to “always wash their hands and handle food well.”
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Source: HIS Education