What We Know About the La Serranita Concha Negra Hepatitis A Outbreak
FDA is warning consumers, restaurants, food retailers, and foodservice customers not to eat, sell, or serve La Serranita concha negra shell meat from Ecuador because it may be contaminated with hepatitis A virus. The product is fresh frozen shell meat sold in 16-oz plastic packages.
As of June 18, 2026, CDC reported 30 illnesses in Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania. Of those, 25 people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. Illness onset dates range from July 30, 2025, to May 1, 2026. Because hepatitis A can take 15 to 50 days to cause symptoms, cases can be difficult to connect without careful traceback and medical records. The investigation is still open, so the numbers may change.
Product and Distribution
The FDA’s May 22, 2026 update reported that the La Serranita concha negra shell meat was distributed to restaurants and retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and may have been further distributed. Earlier New York and New Jersey notices described concha negra from Ecuador moving through a New Jersey dealer/importer and a New York dealer.
Dealers in New York and New Jersey recalled La Serranita concha negra products. FDA advises businesses and consumers to dispose of the product or contact the distributor to arrange destruction.
Why Hepatitis A in Shellfish Is Serious
Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that can damage the liver. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool. Some people, especially young children, may have few or no symptoms, but adults are more likely to become visibly sick. This outbreak has been serious. CDC reported that 25 of the 30 people sickened were hospitalized.
Shellfish can carry hepatitis A when harvested or handled in unsafe conditions. In this outbreak, public health officials linked illnesses to clam ceviche made with fresh frozen blood clams, also known as black clams, black conch meat, or concha negra.
Your Legal Rights
If you developed hepatitis A after eating La Serranita concha negra shell meat, clam ceviche, or restaurant food made with this product, you may have a food poisoning lawsuit. Strong cases often include medical testing for hepatitis A, proof of the meal or product purchase, and records showing when symptoms began.
Ron Simon & Associates is a food poisoning law firm that represents people sickened in hepatitis A outbreaks nationwide. Our hepatitis A lawyers can investigate the source of exposure, preserve traceback evidence, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term complications. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call 1-888-335-4901 for a free consultation.