A public health alert and product recall that was announced October 15 has been expanded. The alert and recall now includes shucked oysters and raw oysters (in shell) that have been distributed to several processors of shellfish in the area of British Columbia.

Canada’s Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the raw, in shell or shucked oysters, as they are believed to contain “paralytic shellfish toxins.” The toxin, once it enters the system, can cause serious illness and can even lead to death.

The affected oysters (in shell and shucked) were harvested from October 2 to October 14, 2011. The oysters were harvested at Okeover Inlet in British Columbia(sub-area 15-4). Specific details of the affected oysters are:

Processed by Albion Fisheries Ltd. ofVancouver,British Columbia:

5-dozen “Beach oyster large,” harvested October 5 and having a lot number of 185392

5-dozen “Beach oyster medium,” harvested October 5, 9, and 12 and having a lot number of 185392

5-dozen “Oyster Royal Miyagi XS,” harvested October 5, 9, and 12 and having the lot codes 185392 and 185534

5-dozen “Little Wing Oyster,” harvested October 5 and 9, and having the lot codes 185505 and 185607

Oysters processed by Albion Fisheries of Victoria, British Columbia:

Various “Oyster in-shell Little Wing,” harvested October 5, 9, and 10, and having lot codes of 185392, 185585, 185607

Various “Oyster in-shell Royal Miyagi XS,” harvested October 9 and having a lot code of 185534

Oysters processed by Pacific NW Shellfish:

5 and 10-dozen “Pacific Oysters,” harvested October 8 and having a lot code of 11-557

Oysters processed by Pacific Rim Shellfish:

5-dozen “Pacific Oysters,” harvested October 5 and having lot codes of 11100601, 11100602 and 11100603

For more information on the oyster recall, consumers can visit the CFIA’s report on food recall at http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp. They can also call the agency’s hotline at 1-800-442-2342.