Friday, August 15, 2008
I love raw oysters, but beware these
by Larry Geller
Just a word to oyster lovers.
I suggest not buying oysters at Costco unless the box is sealed shut.
We were over there today and observed three teenage boys going through the boxes of oysters in the refrigerator cabinet. They were opening each box and handling and inspecting each oyster!
Of course, we called this to the attention of nearby staff, but they took a long time getting over to the oyster fridge, and so the boys were gone. We suggested that they now need to throw out all the oysters in the fridge because they don’t know which ones were handled.
At the customer service desk we suggested that the boxes be taped shut before being put out. Nearly everything has a safety seal, you’d think oysters would also.
Many people eat oysters raw, so we thought you ought to know about this.
Update: An anonymous comment warns against the dangers of eating raw oysters that have not been properly processed. Since many people don’t look at comments, I thought I would copy it into the main article here. Anonymous writes:
Check out the website www.rawoysteralert.com. I was shocked to learn that several individuals die each year from the consumption of raw oysters that are contaminated with naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria. Some gulf states have chosen to not take action in order to make raw oysters safe for ALL consumers.
Several years ago, the state of California made a requirement that all imported raw oysters must be pasteurized and since that requirement was put into place there have been NO FURTHER DEATHS in that state.
In order to affect change, consumers need to only accept oysters that are SAFE through post harvest processing or through being cooked. Consumer demand drives the market and the industry would be forced to provide oysters that did not lead to unnecessary deaths.
The website www.rawoysteralert.com has a wealth of information available and also explains how you can help in making the consumption of oysters safe for everyone. Please help us to spread the word and sign the petition.
Reading through the website, it seems to me that the number of individuals who get sick seems low, but on the other hand, one doesn’t want to become one of them. The consequences seem rather horrible!
Knowledge is good, so make your own choice about when/if to eat raw oysters.
Check out the website www.rawoysteralert.com. I was shocked to learn that several individuals die each year from the consumption of raw oysters that are contaminated with naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria. Some gulf states have chosen to not take action in order to make raw oysters safe for ALL consumers.
Several years ago, the state of California made a requirement that all imported raw oysters must be pasteurized and since that requirement was put into place there have been NO FURTHER DEATHS in that state.
In order to affect change, consumers need to only accept oysters that are SAFE through post harvest processing or through being cooked. Consumer demand drives the market and the industry would be forced to provide oysters that did not lead to unnecessary deaths.
The website www.rawoysteralert.com has a wealth of information available and also explains how you can help in making the consumption of oysters safe for everyone. Please help us to spread the word and sign the petition.
: August 15, 2008 at 11:34:00 PM HST 
Interesting website, but the information is clearly biased. Consumption of raw Gulf oysters is very safe for normal consumers, but for those immune compromised and specifically having a bad liver shouldn't eat raw oysters or any raw or undercooked protein. I'd suggest that the readers look at beoysteraware.com. There is factual information on that site.
As for the State of California requiring all imported oysters be pasteurized, that's simply untrue. For 8 months out of the year, April through November, California allows all imported unpasteurized oysters, (including those from Mexico),except for oysters harvested in the States bordering the Gulf of Mexico. California still has deaths and illnesses associated with the consumption of many raw or undercooked foods.
There are billions of Gulf oysters consumed raw annually in the U.S. without consumers becoming ill or dying. but as with deaths associated with allergic reactions, or complications from diabetes, consumers must be responsible for what they eat to reduce their chances of becoming ill or dying from irresponsible eating habits.
: August 20, 2008 at 1:28:00 AM HST << Home
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