French oysters from Arcachon banned due to several intoxications

The prefecture has temporarily banned fishing, harvesting and marketing activities for human consumption of all shellfish from the Arcachon Basin after consultation with health organizations.

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Oysters served on a table. Image by Bing AI powered by DALL-E

For many French people, oysters are an integral part of the festive menu at Christmas or New Year celebrations. After several cases of intoxication, however, the authorities have banned oysters from the Arcachon Basin, in the south-west of France, from sale for the time being.

Approximately 10% of national production is concentrated in the area.

“As of today, batches of shellfish harvested or fished in these areas must be withdrawn from sale. People who have shellfish in these areas are asked not to consume them and return them to the point of sale,” the prefectural press release stated.

The ban which mainly affects oyster farmers will be lifted “as soon as the health quality of shellfish becomes completely satisfactory again.” 

Amidst ongoing investigations, analyses carried out directly on the oysters found the presence of norovirus.

According to the Arcachon Aquitaine Regional Shellfish Culture Committee (CRCAA) the production areas of the oysters in Arcachon have been affected by heavy rains which caused wastewater to “overflow into the natural environment”, which could explain the contamination.

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