Can oysters cause food poisoning?
Oysters are nutritious – they contain minerals such as calcium and iron, and vitamins – and they’re low in cholesterol too. Of course, they’re also famed for their supposed aphrodisiac properties, which could be why a lot of oysters are eaten around Valentine’s Day. But eating raw oysters could cause food poisoning or hepatitis. This is because oysters filter large volumes of water to get their food and any bacteria and viruses that may be in the water could build up in the oysters. If you’re worried, you could cook your oysters – they will still taste delicious. There’s also no reason to think that cooking will reduce any aphrodisiac properties! If you want to eat oysters safely, follow these tips: • Choosing – Fresh oysters should have tightly closed shells. Don’t choose any oysters if the shell is open and it doesn’t close when you tap it. • Chilling – Oysters can be kept in the fridge for up to one week. Always throw away any oysters if their shells aren’t tightly closed because th
