Health officials in Los Angeles are investigating a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters served at the Los Angeles Times’ “101 Best Restaurants” event held on December 3 at the Hollywood Palladium. More than 80 attendees reported illness, prompting a recall of the contaminated oysters.

The affected oysters, identified as Fanny Bay Select and Fanny Bay XS from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co., were harvested in British Columbia after November 25. Additional brands, including Buckley Bay and Royal Miyagi, were included in the recall, issued on December 13. The Food and Drug Administration warned restaurants and retailers in 14 states and Washington, D.C., to stop serving or selling oysters from the affected areas.

The gathering was a “101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles” event which served Fanny Bay Select oysters.

Norovirus, the leading foodborne illness in the U.S., causes vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever, typically appearing 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Shellfish often absorb the virus when sewage contaminates ocean water, according to the Washington State Department of Health’s guidelines.

The Los Angeles County health department is continuing its investigation. A spokesperson for the Times noted the oysters were sourced from a Santa Monica shellfish company and supplied to one of the participating restaurants. “We take food safety very seriously and followed all relevant safety protocols,” the spokesperson said.

The event, featuring top chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, is part of a legacy tied to Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, who created the 101 Best Restaurants List in 2014. Gold, a celebrated figure in Los Angeles culinary circles, passed away in 2018 at 57.