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FDA to ban sale of raw oysters from Gulf of Mexico
AP ^ | 102709 | CAIN BURDEAU

Posted on 10/27/2009 7:35:24 PM PDT by Artemis Webb

NEW ORLEANS – Federal officials plan to ban sales of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico unless the shellfish are treated to destroy potentially deadly bacteria — a requirement that opponents say could deprive diners of a delicacy cherished for generations.

The plan has also raised concern among oystermen that they could be pushed out of business.

The Gulf region supplies about two-thirds of U.S. oysters, and some people in the $500 million industry argue that the anti-bacterial procedures are too costly. They insist adequate measures are already being taken to battle germs, including increased refrigeration on oyster boats and warnings posted in restaurants.

About 15 people die each year in the United States from raw oysters infected with Vibrio vulnificus, which typically is found in warm coastal waters between April and October. Most of the deaths occur among people with weak immune systems caused by health problems like liver or kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, or AIDS.

(snip)

"We have one man who's 97 years old, and he comes in here every week and gets his oyster fix, no matter what month it is," said Mark DeFelice, head chef at Pascal's Manale Restaurant in New Orleans. "There comes a time when we need to be responsible. Government doesn't need to be involved in this."

The anti-bacterial process treats oysters with a method similar to pasteurization, using mild heat, freezing temperatures, high pressure and low-dose gamma radiation.

But doing so "kills the taste, the texture," DeFelice said. "For our local connoisseurs, people who've grown up eating oysters all their lives, there's no comparison" between salty raw oysters and the treated kind.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: fda; food; foodsupply; nannystate; shellfish
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BS
1 posted on 10/27/2009 7:35:24 PM PDT by Artemis Webb
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To: Artemis Webb

Ban the FDA!!


2 posted on 10/27/2009 7:38:34 PM PDT by shove_it (and have a nice day)
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To: Artemis Webb

Nothing like sitting on a stool and eating a couple dozen live oysters. Not recommended it you do have immune system problems, but otherwise just fine. What they are suggesting is that they all need to be cooked..and then served cold. Crazy.
Man and beast has been eating these things for centuries.


3 posted on 10/27/2009 7:40:24 PM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: Artemis Webb

Slap ‘em with spinach and cheese and I’ll take my chances as I do every year...


4 posted on 10/27/2009 7:41:27 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: Artemis Webb

Salted snot...


5 posted on 10/27/2009 7:42:40 PM PDT by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, then writes again.)
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To: Artemis Webb

Lots of folks in Fl, AL,MS,LA and TX will be hurt.


6 posted on 10/27/2009 7:43:45 PM PDT by devane617
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Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: Artemis Webb

Why is the FDA punishing the ladies? :-)


8 posted on 10/27/2009 7:45:03 PM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Artemis Webb

The wonderful liberal government going after evil fishermen in the gulf.


9 posted on 10/27/2009 7:45:48 PM PDT by eyedigress
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To: Artemis Webb

First the Central Valley in California, now Gulf Coast oysters.

The FDA is destroying our capacity to feed ourselves. This could get ugly. We here in Texas may not roll over like the Californians.

Listening Governor Perry ?


10 posted on 10/27/2009 7:48:14 PM PDT by crescen7 (game on)
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To: Artemis Webb

No one I know eats out-of-season oysters anyway. I love the raw, but before October? No way.


11 posted on 10/27/2009 7:49:17 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: Artemis Webb
I got sick on raw oysters on my honeymoon on the Gulf Coast 20 years ago. I puked while riding home. I puked while standing in a swarm red ants. I puked and hit the bathroom wall on a straight line from 10 feet away. And then I just puked all night.

I wished several times that night that I would die.

But if people want to eat 'em, that's their business. Folks warn you down their that you may get a bad one.

12 posted on 10/27/2009 7:51:08 PM PDT by Ghengis
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To: Artemis Webb
Federal officials plan to ban sales of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico unless the shellfish are treated to destroy potentially deadly bacteria — a requirement that opponents say could deprive diners of a delicacy cherished for generations.

I believe that's misleading. From looking at these FDA webpages (kudos to the AP for including a link to the main speech), it appears to me that all Gulf oysters sold commercially will have to be so treated:

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Speeches/ucm187012.htm

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Speeches/ucm187014.htm

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Speeches/ucm187015.htm

I will be so happy to see this rotten administration depart Washington.

This action by Obama's FDA is not only going to hurt many producers and restaurants, but this is a culinary disaster: stupid, self-inflicted damage to one of America's great food treasures, consumption of the Gulf oyster.

13 posted on 10/27/2009 7:52:44 PM PDT by snowsislander
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To: Artemis Webb

About eating Oysters:

Small government, free people — Your dad tells you to not eat raw oysters in months without an “r”.

Obama Government, herd animals — FDA regulations, expensive processing procedures, regulatory burdens and expenses placed on small businesses and fishermen, warning signs in restaurants, and basically the end of ‘raw’ oysters.

Change you can believe in!


14 posted on 10/27/2009 7:55:54 PM PDT by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: Ghengis; B-Chan

So when’s your anniversary? I think they say no oysters in a month without an “R”? ;-)_


15 posted on 10/27/2009 8:01:02 PM PDT by Tunehead54 (Nothing funny here ;-)
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To: Artemis Webb

I have spent many of nights at the Pascal’s Manale Restaurant’s oyster bar, downing oysters and getting ready for BBQ shrimp.

But, try to make it a rule to only eat raw oysters in months that have an “R.”


16 posted on 10/27/2009 8:01:42 PM PDT by trumandogz (The Democrats are driving us to Socialism at 100 MPH -The GOP is driving us to Socialism at 97.5 MPH)
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To: Artemis Webb

There are plenty of contaminated oysters waiting to be delivered from CHINA!

If I can’t eat AMERICAN SEAFOOD, I WON’T EAT ANY SEA FOOD. PERIOD!


17 posted on 10/27/2009 8:02:40 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (Obama is the ultimate LIE!)
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To: Tunehead54

LOL! It was last month. Just steak and shrimp, then a night out for a hockey game. No oysters. None since that night. {:-0


18 posted on 10/27/2009 8:04:48 PM PDT by Ghengis
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To: o_zarkman44

But I’m sure all those foreign oysters have labels on them saying they’re treated. That makes them totally safe.


19 posted on 10/27/2009 8:15:23 PM PDT by Bogey78O (Don't call them jihadis. Call them irhabis. Tick them off, don't entertain their delusion.)
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To: Bogey78O

I don’t think the Chinese oysters will have the lead and mercury out. But the FDA isn’t worried about that. Just clean American food and the people who make a living getting it.


20 posted on 10/27/2009 8:18:22 PM PDT by o_zarkman44 (Obama is the ultimate LIE!)
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