Can you eat Raw Oysters?
This brief article will discuss, “can you eat raw oysters?”. It talks about the conditions which show that oysters have gone bad, various risks associated with them, and how to tackle these risks to stay safe.
Can you eat Raw Oysters?
You must not attempt to eat them raw. Raw oysters are popular among many people, and raw oyster bars can be seen in several areas. However, oysters together with other raw seafood can make you vulnerable to risks of contracting foodborne infections.
The most common cause of the food-borne disease is norovirus, which is spread through the ingestion of contaminated bivalve shellfish. A few recent researches in the UK discovered that around 70& of oysters sold in the country were possessing norovirus, however, it is unclear whether all viruses can spread infection or not.
The outbreak of norovirus linked to oysters is frequently caused by contamination in the growing waters.
Can I check if the oyster has gone sour?
No, we can not easily know if our oyster has gone bad since an oyster infected with deadly bacteria or viruses looks, smells, or even tastes like other oyster. Aside from norovirus, a slew of other germs and viruses is present to watch out for in raw oysters.
Two bacteria from the genus Vibrio are the most important. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one, and Vibrio vulnificus is the other. Although the latter bacteria can cause more serious illnesses, it is more common in the United States than in Canada.
Raw oysters have also been reported to contain Salmonella. Disease can also be caused by hepatitis A, but the majority of disturbance is caused by norovirus alone.
Read: A few oysters myths
What causes raw oysters to be contaminated?
The most likely source of norovirus contamination in oysters is human waste in the maritime environment. Vibrio bacteria, on the other hand, are thought to be a natural part of the maritime ecosystem in which oysters live. These bacteria can only become a concern when water temperatures rise.
Indeed, some believe that some outbreaks associated with Vibrio species are the result of global warming. Because oysters filter water for food, germs and viruses can congregate in their tissues before being eaten by humans.
Who is more susceptible to vibriosis?
Vibriosis can affect everyone, however you’re more likely to have an infection or a serious sickness if
You have been diagnosed with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, or thalassemia. To treat a condition, you may need to take immunosuppressive medication.Reduce the amount of acid in your stomach by taking drugs.
A majority of patients develop the disease after eating raw or undercooked seafood, mainly oysters. Other persons become infected as a result:
When they get brackish or saline water in their wounds while swimming, wading, or fishing.
They cut themselves on something that has come into contact with brackish or saltwater, such as a rock or pier.
The ingestion of raw fish fluids or drippings into a wound.
How can oysters be safely purchased?
To begin, purchase oysters from reputable suppliers and select fresh oysters with undamaged shells and no unusual odor. When you tap the shell, iit must be tightly closed. And those oysters whose shells have previously been opened should be discarded.
Check the expiration date on shucked oysters that have been pre-packaged. Ensure that chilled products are stored at a temperature of 4°C or below, and frozen items are kept at -18°C or below.
When taking raw store-bought oysters home, it’s better to put them in a cool thermos bag. This way the exposure of oysters to room temperature occurs and bacterial diseases like Vibrio are grown.
The consumption of oysters must be within 1-2 days of being chilled. To avoid cross-contamination in the refrigerator, oysters in the shell should be stored in covered containers.
What can I do to keep myself safe?
To lower your chances of contracting an infection from eating or touching shellfish and other seafood, follow these guidelines:
Oysters and other shellfish should not be eaten uncooked or undercooked. Before eating, properly cook them, and only order fully cooked oysters at restaurants. Alcohol, like hot sauce and lemon juice, does not destroy the Vibrio bacteria.
To avoid cross contamination, keep cooked seafood and its juices separate from raw seafood and its juices external icon.
If any wounds come into contact with raw seafood or raw seafood fluids, brackish or saltwater, they should also be covered.
Conclusion
This brief article discussed, “Can you eat raw oysters?”. It talked about the conditions which show that oysters have gone bad, various risks associated with them, and how to tackle these risks to stay safe.
