Karen’s Opinion

When we think of oysters, we think of the beautiful pearl that they are known to produce. I thought it would be fun to think of other beautiful gems that oysters could produce. Wouldn’t it be cool if oysters produced birthstones like a topaz or opal stone? I would love to have an amethyst from an oyster.

While we think of the beauty of the pearl an oyster produces we are also aware that many people love to eat oysters. Gulf oysters are harvested in great numbers and many fisherman base their livelihood on oyster consumption. That said, we need to note that there is risk when eating oysters. Although the number of illnesses that result from Vibrio vulnificus is extremely low when compared to other food-borne illnesses it is a serious illness with risk that can be life threatening for individuals who fall into certain categories. Those categories include:

• Liver Disease (from hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholism, or cancer)

• Iron overload disease (hemochromatosis)

• Diabetes

• Cancer (including lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease)

• Stomach Disorders

• Or any illness or medical condition that weakens the body’s immune system

Oysters are sedentary bivalve mollusks that feed by filtering plankton (small plants and animals) from estuarine water. Because Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in the same waters that oysters feed, the bacteria is ingested and becomes assimilated and concentrated in the animal’s tissues. When people ingest oysters, there is a risk of also ingesting Vibrio vulnificus. You can reduce the risk of illness by eating oysters that have been post-harvest processed or eliminate the risk of illness by eating oysters fully cooked.

If you would like more information, please read the valuable information at Be Oyster Aware website.