Experts show how to eat oysters safely

Why are oysters risky?

Oysters are the natural filters of the sea. They get nutrients by pumping water through their digestive systems. In the process, they filter harmful substances out of the water.

That filtration process makes oysters dangerous for humans to eat because harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens can build up in the oyster's tissues. If you eat raw or undercooked oysters, those pathogens can be passed on to you.

Oysters should be cooked before eating to avoid illness from this food.

Vibrio bacteria and raw oysters

Recently, a man in the US died after eating raw oysters, the culprit may be the bacteria vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus infection can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and chills. In severe cases, such as when raw oyster juice gets into an open wound, it can cause a serious flesh-eating infection. However, death from vibrio vulnificus is quite rare.

The Best Way to Eat Oysters Safely

Eating raw oysters poses a risk of foodborne illness and there is no way to detect which oysters contain disease-causing bacteria, explains Mary Ellen Phipps, PhD, a nutritionist and founder of the Milk & Honey Nutrition Center in the US.

According to Dr. Phipps, the only way to reduce the risk of illness is to cook oysters to 63 degrees Celsius before eating, according to Verywell Health.

Oysters that have opened their shells should be discarded before cooking. Oysters in the shell can be boiled or steamed until they open. Shucked oysters should be grilled or boiled for at least 3 minutes to ensure they reach the proper temperature.

Spicy or acidic condiments such as mustard, chili sauce, lemon juice... cannot kill all bacteria and viruses that cause disease in oysters.

Is it safe to eat raw oysters?

Dr Phipps warns that all the "tricks" to eating raw oysters - like adding hot sauce, lemon juice or wine - will not kill the vibrio vulnificus bacteria.

Spicy or acidic condiments such as mustard, chili sauce, lemon juice, vinegar and wine cannot kill all bacteria and viruses that cause disease in oysters.

According to nutritionist Toby Amidor, a food safety consultant working in New York (USA), some people should stay away from raw oysters completely, including the elderly, children under 6 years old, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people who are taking medication and people with sensitive intestines or weak immunity, according to Verywell Health.

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