Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Hep A,Hepatitis A,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on September 8, 2026
Imported frozen clams, more specifically concha Negra or black shell imported frozen clams have been under investigation since April 2026. Certain imported frozen clams have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak across four states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published an update on the outbreak situation.
The Make Food Safe blog covered this outbreak back in April when a recall was initiated. But new information has recently come to light.
Here’s what we know so far!
The CDC reports at least 37 hepatitis A cases have been linked to imported frozen clams. At least 30 of those cases were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The youngest patient who was sickened in this outbreak was six years old. The oldest was 40.
Currently, four states have been represented in this outbreak. Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Initial illnesses date back to July 30, 2025, with the last reported illness documented on June 23, 2026. While it has been some time since the last cases was reported, the CDC says “the outbreak investigation is ongoing.”
As part of the epidemiological investigation, sick people were interviewed to help track down the source of the outbreak. People were asked to disclose what they ate in the 15 to 50 days prior to becoming sick.
As you can imagine, that might be a bit difficult.
Do you remember what you ate for lunch last Tuesday? How about 3 Tuesdays before?
Well, there was some overlap nonetheless.
Of the people interviewed, a significant 77% reported eating ceviche (a dish made with raw fish or shellfish marinated in citrus juice). Almost as many (76%) said they ate raw or undercooked shellfish. 47% of respondents specifically mentioned eating raw or undercooked black clams. Which compared to the other categories people remembered, it was still significantly higher than the FoodNet population survey for the general population.
Based on this data, the CDC indicated that the difference between the FoodNet population survey data and patient interviews “suggests that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from eating raw or undercooked clams.”
When looking at where people got or ate the clams that potentially made them sick, traceback data linked imported frozen clams as the likely source.
The common supplier?
Las Serranita-brand concha negra imported frozen clams.
This potentially contaminated product was sold through dealers in New Jersey and New York and further distributed to other states.
In response to these findings, a Safety Alert and recall was announced, which helped to remove offending product from the U.S. market and reduce the risk of additional infections.
The initial Safety Alert issued by the FDA was updated again later in the summer with more information about further distribution.
Affected products included La Serranita-brand concha negra (black shell) fresh frozen shell meat from Ecuador. Recalled product was packaged in 16-ouce plastic packages and distributed to restaurants and retailers in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. However, the product may have been further distributed through additional distribution networks.
At least 37 people have been associated with this hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen clams.
But could there be more cases unaccounted for?
That is completely possible.
The CDC admits that “the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people may recover without medical care and are not tested for hepatitis A virus.”
Paired with the weeks it takes for a sick person’s sample to be connected to an ongoing outbreak, it is completely possible other cases have gone unreported.
If you have recently eaten raw or undercooked frozen La Serrantita-brand concha negra and have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A, you should contact your local health department or health care provider to discuss treatment, or if possible, postexposure prophylaxis.
Unfortunately, you may not know you have hepatitis A for several weeks after you or initially exposed. To make matters even more confusing, adults and children often experience a different set of symptoms.
Common symptoms in adults may include:
Symptoms in young children, on the other hand, are very different.
Oftentimes, children show no symptoms at all. In fact, studies have shown that around 70% of children younger than six years of age are asymptomatic. In contrast, around 70% of older children and adults experience jaundice and/or other symptoms associated with hepatitis A virus infection.
If symptoms do develop, they often appear around two to seven weeks after exposure.
These symptoms often resolve within two months. Although some people continue to feel sick and experience complications for as long as six months. Sometimes longer.
If a hepatitis A vaccine is administered promptly (a minimum of two weeks after exposure), there is a significant chance that the exposed person will not become sick.
To help this process stick even better, certain groups of people may also be given a type of immunoglobulin along with the vaccine. This is usually co-administered in those at higher risk for infection or more severe illness.
Talk to your healthcare provider about immunoglobulin WITH hepatitis A vaccine if you are:
Post exposure hepatitis A vaccination is very effective. In fact, more than 95% of adults and 97% of children develop protective antibodies within four weeks of a single dose.
A typical hepatitis A vaccine protocol also includes an additional dose six months later.
If you receive the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine, be sure to follow up with the booster to ensure long-term protection.
Have you consumed imported frozen clams and are worried about Hepatitis A exposure? There are a few things you can do to help your situation.
If you may be impacted by hepatitis A in imported frozen clams, you should monitor yourself for the symptoms indicated above. Seek medical attention immediately if you begin experiencing symptoms.
If you are infected, wash your hands regularly and do not prepare food for others.
If you are not already vaccinated for hepatitis A, now is the time to get it. Within 14 days of exposure, this vaccine can actually help prevent infection.
If you become sick, you may need to prove that you were infected with hepatitis A in imported frozen clams. Receipts prove that you purchased the impacted raw clams or ordered the dish from a restaurant. A detail that strengthens your case, should you choose to pursue one.
An experienced hepatitis A exposure lawyer can help answer questions you may have about your situation.
If you were exposed to hepatitis A in imported frozen clams, you may have a legal case.
Contact the experienced Hepatitis A Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm. They have helped families with situations just like yours navigate the legal process and receive the justice they deserve.
The Lange Law Firm offers free consultations and can help you explore your legal rights. Reach out for your free consultation by phone at (833) 330-3663 or click here to email.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)