Business · Trade · 22 hrs ago
Six batches of South Korean oysters destroyed in US over norovirus
Six shipments of frozen oysters exported from South Korea were destroyed or recalled in the United States after norovirus was detected in 2024 and 2025.
The oysters had passed South Korea’s export inspections before the virus was found in the US.
Norovirus in oysters can result when human waste from land reaches coastal waters where shellfish are grown.
South Korea has no separate national norovirus limit for oysters intended to be eaten raw, but it requires oysters from at-risk waters to be labelled for cooking.
The United States and the European Union recall or destroy shellfish when inspections find norovirus.
South Korea’s program to install public toilets in designated shellfish-growing areas is intended to help keep human waste out of the sea, but its budget is set at zero next year.
A lawmaker has called for stronger measures to prevent contamination.
Six batches of frozen oysters exported from South Korea were destroyed or recalled in the United States after norovirus was detected.
The cases occurred in 2024 and 2025, despite the oysters passing export inspections in South Korea.
South Korea has no separate norovirus standard for oysters intended to be eaten raw, according to the report.
The government requires raw oysters from waters considered at risk of norovirus to be labelled for cooking.
The budget for installing public toilets in designated shellfish production areas is set to fall to zero next year.
- Who
- South Korean oyster exporters and US authorities were involved. South Korean lawmaker Shin Jang-sik reviewed the cases.
- What
- Six batches of frozen oysters were destroyed or recalled after norovirus was detected in the United States.
- When
- The cases occurred in 2024 and 2025.
- Where
- The oysters were exported from South Korea to the United States.
- Why
- The report says norovirus in oysters can result when human waste from land enters the sea.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The budget was already inadequate, but the budget for installing toilets, the most basic measure to block the virus, has been cut to zero.
We need to establish practical measures.
Six batches of frozen oysters that passed South Korean export inspections were destroyed or recalled in the United States after norovirus was detected.
The budget for public toilets in designated shellfish production areas was 150 million won.
The budget for the toilet installation program was 100 million won.
The program’s budget is set at zero won next year.
- Affected batches
- 6
- Product
- Frozen oysters
- Destination
- United States
- Reported case period
- 2024–2025
- Toilet program budget, 2025
- 150 million won
- Toilet program budget, 2027
- 0 won
Sources
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