Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Food Safety
Te Matuku Oysters is recalling specific batches of Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters in Half Shell and Oyster Meat as the products may contain norovirus.
The affected products are sold at selected retailers on Waiheke Island: RAW at Waiheke Fresh Fruit & Vege Market, and Waiheke Specialty Food. They have not been exported.
The below products with use-by dates of 27 and 29 August 2024 are included in this recall:
- Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters - Crassostrea gigas (Oysters in Half Shell, 1 Dozen)
- Te Matuku Oysters brand Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters - Crassostrea gigas (200g Oyster Meat)
New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said it is investigating after receiving reports of potentially associated illness.
He said anyone who has consumed any of this product and are concerned for their health should contact their health professional or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
"Norovirus is a common, highly contagious cause of foodborne illness in New Zealand, causing severe vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea, fever, and headaches.
"Anyone can be made ill by norovirus, but the elderly and immunocompromised are particularly susceptible. Symptoms appear between 10 hours and two days after infection and can last up to two and a half days.
"These oysters should not be eaten raw. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Alternatively, you can cook the oysters until the internal temperature of the oysters reaches 90°C for 90 seconds to kill the virus. If that's not possible, throw them out."
The products under recall were identified through working with people who became ill to determine the cause of their illness.
Putaki Bay oyster farm is currently closed as New Zealand Food Safety investigated the issue.
Arbuckle added that it is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation.
Commercially harvested shellfish - sold in shops and supermarkets or exported - is subject to strict water and flesh-monitoring programmes to ensure they are safe to eat.
"As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Te Matuku Oysters to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence," he said.