Pacific Oyster
Also known as: Crassostrea gigas
Pacific oysters are nutrient-dense (zinc, vitamin B12, omega-3s) but raw oysters carry meaningful foodborne illness risk from Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and norovirus. They are also one of the major FDA-recognized food allergens (crustacean shellfish allergy is separate; mollusks like oysters are also commonly allergenic).
What it is
Crassostrea gigas, an edible bivalve mollusk widely farmed and consumed worldwide.
Whole food / seafood; eaten raw or cooked.
Why it's flagged
- shellfish allergen
- Vibrio infection risk from raw consumption
- heavy metal/PFAS bioaccumulation
What regulators actually say
"Eating raw oysters and other undercooked seafood can put you at risk for infections, including vibriosis, which is caused by certain strains of Vibrio bacteria."
"Mollusks, oyster, Pacific, raw — nutrient profile available."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Regulated under FDA National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP)
European Union — EFSA
Regulated as live bivalve mollusk under EU 853/2004
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