Arcachon Bay Oysters Banned Due to Health Threat
The French seafood industry just can't get a break. First a violent herpes outbreak killed an estimated 80 percent of France's baby oysters, and now authorities fearing contamination by a poisonous microalgae have banned the sale and consumption of Arcachon Bay's oysters. Oyster producers, up in arms, are threatening to sue the government for permitting the bay to become polluted, reports the Independent. But after several French beaches were invaded by poisonous algae and jellyfish this summer, scientists have suggested that a rise in water temperature due to global warming may be the culprit.
The Independent suggests an easy test for raw oysters: "If an oyster is open, tap the shell. It should close right away. If it is unresponsive and the shell stays open, throw it away since it is most likely dead."
Related
Baby Oysters Dying Off in France
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2 Comments:
Thats terrible! I love oysters, but doesn't this happen pretty often with shellfish? I was under the impression that there are problems in New England (and probably elsewhere) due to red tide that causes paralysis where some people go clamming.
gillsnthrills at 5:07PM on 08/12/08
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.
avebayle at 10:26PM on 09/08/08