FDA Warns Shoppers and Restaurants About La Serranita Concha Negra Shell Meat Tied to Hepatitis A Cases
The FDA is warning shoppers and restaurants not to eat, serve, or sell La Serranita concha negra shell meat tied to a multistate hepatitis A outbreak. The agency updated its safety alert on May 22, 2026, and says this product may need to be checked in fridges, freezers, and restaurant inventory right away.
According to the FDA, the affected shell meat is branded La Serranita and was distributed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The agency also says it may have been distributed beyond those states, so the warning should not be treated as limited to one region.
What product is affected
The recall alert covers La Serranita concha negra shell meat. The FDA ties the warning to hepatitis A concerns and says consumers and food businesses should treat the product as unsafe to eat, serve, or sell. If you have this shell meat at home or in a commercial kitchen, do not taste it or try to use it up.
If the FDA notice includes package or lot details in your copy of the alert, check those carefully against anything in your refrigerator or freezer. If you are not sure whether a package matches, the safest step is to set it aside and keep it out of service until you can confirm it.
Why the FDA issued the warning
The agency says the alert is connected to a multistate hepatitis A outbreak. This is an active consumer safety notice, not a routine quality issue. The FDA has updated the warning as new information became available, which makes it especially important for home cooks, grocery shoppers, caterers, and restaurant operators to re-check inventory.
What to do now
If you find La Serranita concha negra shell meat in your home, discard it or arrange for destruction as directed by the FDA. Do not donate it, repackage it, or serve it to anyone.
After handling the product, clean any containers, utensils, cutting boards, counters, and other surfaces that touched it. Wash with hot, soapy water and sanitize as appropriate for your kitchen setup.
If you recently ate this product and are concerned about hepatitis A exposure, follow official public-health guidance and watch for symptoms. If symptoms develop, contact a health care provider promptly.
For restaurants and other food businesses, check walk-ins, freezers, prep areas, and backup storage so the product is not accidentally used in salads, seafood dishes, or other menu items. Pull it from service immediately if it is found.
The FDA’s current alert is the clearest source to follow for product details and any further updates. For now, the message is simple: do not eat, serve, or sell La Serranita concha negra shell meat, and dispose of it safely if you have it on hand.
