Research published today (29 November) by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) shows that 76% of oysters tested from UK oyster growing beds contained norovirus.
Between 2009 and 2011, scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), on behalf of the FSA, took samples from 39 oyster harvesting areas across the UK.
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The FSA added that in more than half of the positive samples, the virus was detected at low levels and it is difficult to assess the potential health impact of these findings as the research techniques were not able to differentiate between infectious and non-infectious norovirus material. Norovirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis.
Andrew Wadge, chief scientist at the Food Standards Agency, said: “This research is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be important to help improve the knowledge of the levels of norovirus found in shellfish at production sites.”
The results will contribute to a European Food Safety Authority review of norovirus levels in oysters, which will advise the European Commission on setting a specific legal safe level for norovirus in oysters on sale in the EU.
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