Health Department warns consumers about South Korean shellfish

The state Department of Health is advising consumers not to eat fresh or frozen shellfish (clams, oysters or mussels) that come from South Korea.

The federal Food and Drug Administration reports the shellfish, and many products made from these shellfish, imported from South Korea may be contaminated and unsafe for human consumption.

Effective immediately, the FDA has removed all certified dealers in the Korean Shellfish Sanitation Program from its Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List. This action stops the shipment of fresh and frozen clams, mussels and oysters from South Korea to the United States.

There have been no recent reported illnesses in Hawaii related to shellfish imported from South Korea. The Health Department is advising consumers to avoid these products as a precautionary measure, and is notifying local distributors, retailers and restaurants statewide to pull all South Korean shellfish.

Consumers who have already purchased such items should discard them or return them to the place of purchase.