How dangerous is it to eat uncooked oysters? This is how one can safely devour them, in accordance with consultants.

From coast to coast, spanning Connecticut to Florida to Washington state, Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) advisories warning towards the consumption of uncooked oysters have been making headlines. Over the previous yr alone, a number of recalls have been issued due to the potential contamination of oysters with foodborne diseases corresponding to norovirus, salmonella, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, certainly one of a number of strains of vibrio micro organism. Regardless of the advisories and recollects, oysters proceed to be a preferred culinary delicacy, to not point out a favourite aphrodisiac. However are they honestly as dangerous as they appear? Yahoo Life reached out to dietitians to discover the complexities surrounding these treasured shellfish.

What are the dangers of consuming oysters?

Oysters are saltwater bivalve mollusks, identified for being filter feeders, which means that they get their vitamin from extracting algae and different tiny organisms from the water surrounding them. Nonetheless, as Michelle Rauch, an authorized ServSafe meals safety supervisor and registered dietitian for the Actors Fund, tells Yahoo Life, “relying on the place and what they’re feeding, there’s a potential that they might be contaminated with micro organism.” The first concern with consuming contaminated oysters is publicity to numerous viruses and micro organism that result in gastrointestinal signs, just like these of meals poisoning.

Marine vibrio micro organism, the commonest micro organism present in seawater, is commonly concentrated in oysters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes signs of vibriosis, a vibrio an infection characterised by abdomen cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills and normally lasts for as much as three days after the particular person is contaminated.

Current issues contain oysters being linked to norovirus, a contagious virus that causes related signs together with muscle aches. “Oysters can carry norovirus if they’re harvested from polluted waters or by people who’re contaminated with the virus,” explains Rauch. Moreover, oysters stay a typical supply of hepatitis A, a extremely contagious virus that infects the liver.

On high of the dangers of foodborne diseases, Danielle Venhuizen, dietitian and proprietor of Meals Sense Vitamin Counseling, tells Yahoo Life that there’s rising concern about different contaminants in water sources. Research exhibits that filter feeders corresponding to oysters, clams and mussels have the potential to build up excessive concentrations of heavy metals of their smooth tissues, posing a threat to people, particularly to those that eat oysters extra usually. One other study discovered that near 50% of farmed oysters could also be contaminated with microplastics. “Whereas we’re nonetheless not totally certain how this impacts human well being, it’s undoubtedly one thing to pay attention to,” says Venhuizen.

How seemingly is it that you’re going to get sick from consuming oysters?

In line with the CDC, roughly 80,000 Individuals per yr fall sick from vibrio micro organism, leading to about 100 deaths yearly. Of these, about 52,000 circumstances are linked to consuming meals containing vibrio micro organism.

One species of explicit concern is Vibrio vulnificus, which is extra life-threatening and entails tissue loss of life round wounds. Signs embody fever, chills, pores and skin redness, blisters, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weak spot. In extreme circumstances, contaminated people could find yourself in intensive care, endure limb amputations or for 1 out of 5 folks, the an infection could be deadly.

Do you have to keep away from consuming oysters?

For wholesome adults with none underlying medical situations, Rauch says the danger of consuming uncooked oysters could also be value it since signs of vibrio are usually delicate for that inhabitants. Nonetheless, Taylor Janulewicz, dietitian and proprietor of My Cancer Dietitian, tells Yahoo Life: “As a most cancers dietitian, I strongly advise towards uncooked oysters for anybody with a weakened immune system.” Others that fall beneath this class embody these with liver illness, diabetes, persistent abdomen points, extreme alcohol consumption or irregular iron metabolism, in addition to folks present process medical therapy that leads to a weakened immune system. Older adults ages 65 years and up, pregnant people and youngsters beneath 6 years of age are additionally thought-about excessive threat and may keep away from consuming uncooked or undercooked oysters.

Whereas consultants agree precautions have to be taken when consuming oysters, additionally they spotlight mollusks’ dietary worth. Venhuizen factors out that oysters are wealthy in selenium, iron, calcium, potassium, folate and choline and particularly excessive in immune-boosting zinc. “Including oysters in the course of the chilly months could be a good way to pack in some zinc and push back these circumstances of colds and flu,” she provides. Round a 3-ounce serving of raw oysters without the shells has about 5 grams of protein and exceeds day by day grownup wants for zinc and vitamin B12.

The right way to safely devour oysters

Whereas the CDC says that almost all circumstances of vibriosis happen from Could by October when water temperatures are hotter, the dangers oysters pose appear to be year-round due to international warming. So what are you able to do to scale back the danger?

Earlier than having fun with uncooked oysters, consultants advise buying them solely from respected suppliers and eating places that adhere to correct meals dealing with and storage protocols. In the event you purchase oysters in your residence, retailer them within the fridge straight away to maintain them recent and to attenuate bacterial development. Shuck solely oysters whose shells are intact, and ensure to scrub them completely to rid of any particles.

Janulewicz additionally recommends that for immunocompromised people, go for cooked oyster choices, like seafood gumbo with oysters, air-fried breaded oysters and oyster stew, to attenuate the danger of an infection whereas nonetheless having fun with the dietary advantages.

Cooking oysters properly kills micro organism, like vibrio, says Venhuizen. Kristin Draayer, dietitian and founding father of Nutrition by Kristin, tells Yahoo Life: “This implies you may nonetheless benefit from the excessive ranges of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that oysters supply, however with a a lot decrease threat of getting sick.” Both boil, fry or broil oysters for at the very least 3 minutes or bake at 450°F for 10 minutes, ensuring they attain an inside temperature of 145°F.

Final, Draayer says it’s vital to all the time wash your palms earlier than and after dealing with oysters (or any meals, for that matter), in addition to sanitize surfaces, as many viruses can linger on them for an prolonged time frame.

“Remember the fact that it’s nearly unattainable to inform if an oyster is contaminated by taking a look at it,” notes Rauch. “It usually is not going to odor and even style completely different,” she provides. Following finest practices when consuming oysters might help stop sickness. In the event you suspect you could have signs of vibriosis or one other foodborne sickness, contact your medical supplier instantly.

Maxine Yeung is a dietitian and board-certified well being and wellness coach.