The problem

Ministry for Primary Industries is warning people not to eat some brands of chilled oysters harvested from the Mahurangi Harbour north of Auckland as they may be contaminated with norovirus. The brands below are affected:

  • Seafood Harbour Pacific Oysters
  • Matakana Oysters Pacific Oysters
  • Orata Marine Pacific Oysters
  • Hutchings & Addison Ltd Pacific Oysters
  • Hunter Fish Otahuhu Pacific Oysters

Details

The following chilled oyster products from each brand have been recalled as the products may be affected:

Seafood Harbour Pacific Oysters

  • Seafood Harbour Pacific Oysters - various weights, sold in clear plastic pottle
  • Seafood Harbour Half Shell Pacific Oysters - 1 dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray wrapped with clear plastic film
  • Seafood Harbour Half Shell Pacific Oysters - 5 dozen, sold in a cardboard box
  • Seafood Harbour Half Shell Pacific Oysters - 25 dozen, sold in a polystyrene bin

The products were sold on or after 17 January 2017 from Seafood Harbour (5 Kent Street, New Market, Auckland), restaurants and food service distributors in Auckland, Hamilton and New Plymouth.

For more information, contact Seafood Harbour on 09 529 0222.

Matakana Oysters Pacific Oysters

  • Matakana Oysters Whole Shell - 1 dozen, sold in a plastic bag
  • Matakana Oysters Large - 1 dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray
  • Matakana Oysters Large - ½ dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray
  • Matakana Oysters Cocktail Half Shell - ½ dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray
  • Matakana Oysters Pacific Oysters in Pottle - 300g, sold in a clear plastic pottle
  • Matakana Oysters Pacific Oysters in Tube - 200g, sold in a clear plastic tube

The products were sold on or after 14 January 2017 from Matakana Oysters Ltd (The Green Shed, 1217 Leigh Rd, Laly Haddon Place, Matakana).

For more information, contact Matakana Oysters on 09 422 6313.

Orata Marine Pacific Oysters

  • Orata Marine Pacific Oysters in Pottle - 200g or 300g, sold in a clear plastic pottle
  • Orata Marine Half Shell Pacific Oysters - bulk, sold as 600g in a bag, 1 dozen or ½ dozen in a polystyrene tray

The products were sold on or after 14 January 2017 in the Matakana Village Farms market (every Saturday between 8am - 1pm) and the following retail outlets in the Auckland region:

  • Kowhai Liquor Centre: 22 Whittaker Road, Warkworth
  • Puhoi General Store: 109 Puhoi Road, Puhoi
  • Premium Seafoods: Howick
  • Grumpy’s Seafood: 221 Great South Road, Papakura
  • Tai Ping supermarket Albany (known as Jimmy the Fish): 92 Rosedale Road, Albany
  • Tai Ping supermarket New Lynn: 3037 Great North Road, New Lynn
  • Tai Ping supermarket Glenfield: 25 Porana Road, Glenfield
  • Tai Ping supermarket Dominion: 911 Dominion Road, Mt Roskill
  • Tai Ping supermarket Flat Bush: 16 Bishop Dunn Place, East Tamaki
  • Jadan supermarket: 976 Dominion Road, Mt. Roskill
  • Oceanz Seafood: Albany, Auckland Fish Market, Botany, Henderson and Silverdale.

For more information, contact Orata Marine Ltd on 027 477 9690.

Hutchings & Addison Ltd Pacific Oysters

  • Pacific Oysters Whole Shell - sold individually
  • Pacific Oysters Half Shell - 1 dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray

The products were sold on or after 14 January 2017 in Seamart (1/955 New North Road, Mt Albert) and Real Fresh Seafood Birkenhead (80 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead) in Auckland.

For more information, contact Hutchings & Addison Ltd on 09 425 4625.

Hunter Fish Otahuhu Pacific Oysters

  • Hunter Fish Otahuhu Pacific Oysters Whole Shell, sold individually
  • Hunter Fish Otahuhu Pacific Oysters Half Shell - ½ dozen, sold in a polystyrene tray

The products were sold on or after 14 January 2017 from Hunter Fish Otahuhu (402 Great South Road, Otahuhu) in Auckland.

For more information, contact Hunter Fish Otahuhu on 020 496 6185.

What to do

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been associated reports of norovirus illness in New Zealand. Norovirus generally presents with vomiting followed by diarrhoea. If you think you have eaten any affected oysters, see your doctor if symptoms are severe, persistent or if you are unable to keep hydrated.

Return the products to your retailer for a full refund.

Information is also available through the Ministry of Health’s Healthline 0800 611 116.