[Mrs. Don-o]

The (sensible) old-wives idea was to eat oysters ONLY in months with an R --- in other words, NOT in the warm months of May, June, July, and August, but OK September-April.

Why? Because bacteria proliferate in shellfish in the warmer waters of summertime.

[Dysart]

Why? Because bacteria proliferate in shellfish in the warmer waters of summertime.

Seems plausible to me.

[capt. norm]

Why? Because bacteria proliferate in shellfish in the warmer waters of summertime.

That is a total fabrication. Ithe "R" rule was only establishe before there was good refrigeration.

Bacteria is one of the "foods" that oysters eat and are always present. Here in the Florida Panhandle, our water doesn't get cool enough to kill off the bacteria, even in the worst winters.