Beware Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Commercial shellfish is normally government-inspected so the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is extremely minimal. The Federal Shellfish Sanitration Program governs licensed commercial fishermen to certify the oysters are fished from uncontaminated waters and safe for consumption.Oysters, like clams, are susceptible to biotoxins. These biotoxins are found even in waters that appear to be clean and fresh, so don't trust your eyes.
Be familiar with PSP symptoms, emergency treatment procedures and contacts, and always check for status of the waters with your local marine fishery government agency before harvesting your own.
Oysters and Your Health
Health officials recommend cooking oysters thoroughly before consuming. Certain high risk groups with medical conditions such as liver disease, cancer, immune deficiencies, hepatitis, diabetes, and others should completely avoid eating raw oysters. However, completely cooking oysters kills harmful bacteria, thus eliminating the danger for these high risk groups.Oysters are a good source of calcium, needed not only for strong bones, but also to aid in blood clotting, activate enzymes to help with digestion, and help carry nerve impulses. They are also high in vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and copper.
More about Oysters:
• Oyster Cooking Tips• Why only eat oysters in months with the letter "r"? FAQ
• Oyster Varieties
• Oyster Selection and Storage
• Why do oysters grow pearls? FAQ
• Oyster History
• Oyster Measures and Equivalents
• Oysters and Health
• Oyster Recipes
Oyster Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
