More than 80 people fall ill with norovirus after consuming oysters at Los Angeles Times food event.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a norovirus outbreak linked to oysters served at a Los Angeles County event earlier this month, which left over 80 people sick.

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The incident occurred on December 3 at a Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants event, confirmed the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to USA Today on Friday. Santa Monica Seafood, a company involved in the situation, also identified the event.

According to the health department, more than 80 attendees who consumed oysters at the event reported gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

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The oysters in question—Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi varieties—were supplied by British Columbia-based Pacific Northwest Shellfish and Union Bay Seafood. A recall has since been issued for these oysters.

Harvested between December 1 and December 9 from British Columbia, the contaminated oysters were distributed to restaurants and food retailers across several U.S. states, including California, Arizona, New York, Florida, and others.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a warning on Wednesday urging restaurants, retailers, and consumers to avoid the affected oysters.

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The Los Angeles Times has not responded to requests for comment as of Friday.

Where did the oysters come from?
Santa Monica Seafood, which is cooperating with the investigation, has stated that the likely source of contamination was British Columbia. However, the company emphasized that there is no evidence of mishandling at any point in the supply chain, including by Santa Monica Seafood or any participating restaurants at the event.

The company also urged retailers to stop distributing the oysters and either return or dispose of them, labeling them with the warning “Not safe, do not touch.”
Santa Monica Seafood reassured the public that it has been working closely with the California Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, both of which have praised the company’s prompt and transparent response.