Oysters and Snack Chips Recalled Across Multiple States Over Salmonella Concerns

Federal health officials have issued a major voluntary recall for whole shellstock oysters harvested in Virginia following a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 27 people and hospitalized five. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the affected oysters were harvested from the Little Wicomico River between September 18 and October 8, 2026. In response to the outbreak, Virginia health officials temporarily closed the waterway to shellfish harvesting, and the Little Wicomico Oyster Company has stopped pulling from the impacted area.

The recalled oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers across 15 states and Washington, D.C. The impacted locations include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, though officials warn the products may have reached other areas as well. Oysters harvested from other regions in Virginia are not included in the recall.

The outbreak is linked to Salmonella Telelkebir, a bacterium known to cause food poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, typically beginning anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure. While most individuals recover within four to seven days without medical intervention, severe infections can occur. Young children, adults aged 65 and older, and individuals with weakened immune systems face a heightened risk of severe illness.

Health agencies advise consumers, restaurants, and retailers to check their inventory immediately. Anyone possessing the recalled oysters should avoid consuming them, opting instead to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Furthermore, the FDA emphasizes that contaminated foods can maintain a completely normal appearance, smell, and taste, making visual inspection impossible. Utensils, containers, and surfaces that came into contact with the seafood must be thoroughly washed and sanitized.

In a separate food safety action, a voluntary recall was issued for several varieties of Zapp's and Dirty South potato chips due to the potential presence of Salmonella. The affected snack products include Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Salt and Vinegar, and Big Cheezy chips, alongside Dirty South Sour Cream and Onion, Maui Onion, and Salt and Vinegar potato chips. Manufactured by Utz, the chips were recalled after a third-party supplier provided seasoning containing dry milk powder that could harbor the bacteria.

Although the affected snack batches reportedly tested negative for Salmonella, the manufacturer initiated the recall out of an abundance of caution. Consumers possessing any of the recalled chip flavors are advised not to eat them and to discard the products immediately. Federal agencies continue to monitor both situations closely as investigations and remediation efforts proceed across the distribution networks.