The hepatitis A outbreak prompted the FDA to issue a warning to the public about fresh and frozen clams imported from Ecuador and sold under the La Serranita brand.
The outbreak is being investigated by the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The first illness linked to shellfish was reported in July 2025, and the most recent case of hepatitis A was reported in February of this year. Frozen clams (black shell) The long shelf life of frozen clams, also called shell meat, continues to pose a threat.
The clam meat involved was shipped from a New Jersey dealer/importer to a New York dealer and distributed within the state. Additional products may have been released.
Consumers can use the following label information to determine if relevant clams are present:
- The Serranita
- black shell
- shell meat
- fresh frozen
- Net weight: 16 ounces (454 g)
About hepatitis A infection
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). People can become infected through contaminated food, sick food handlers, or person-to-person contact.
Not everyone with hepatitis A develops symptoms. Adults are more likely to develop symptoms than children. When symptoms do appear, they typically appear 2 to 7 weeks after infection, with an average of 28 to 30 days. Symptoms usually last within two months, but some people may be ill for up to six months.
When symptoms appear, they may include yellowing of the skin or eyes, not wanting to eat, stomach upset, abdominal pain, fever, dark or light colored urine, diarrhea, joint pain, and fatigue.
Even if there are no symptoms, people can still spread the infection. You can also spread hepatitis A to others up to two weeks before symptoms appear.
