A company which supplies oysters to restaurants and shops across the Bailiwick has said tests prove their shellfish are "safe to eat" with all of them going through a "purification process" before being delivered to outlets.
Charlotte Dickson of Herm & Guernsey Oysters Ltd said she read a previous article, based on concerns over the safety of oysters sold on the French coast with interest and wanted to "take the opportunity to reassure oyster eaters in the Bailiwick that the oysters grown and supplied by Herm & Guernsey Oysters Ltd remain safe to eat."
The article Ms Dickson was referring to reported how French authorities have banned the fishing and selling of oysters in the bay around Mont-Saint-Michel and other coastal areas of Brittany until further notice after norovirus - a winter vomiting bug - was discovered in stocks across seven zones.
Pictured: Oyster stocks in Brittany are under scrutiny because of health concerns but the Bailiwick's main supplier says local stocks are perfectly safe to eat.
Herm & Guernsey Oysters Ltd has to work with Guernsey's office for Environmental Health, which sets stringent standards for shellfish sold for human consumption.
Ms Dickson said those standards are all met, as the stocks face regular rigorous testing.
"We work closely with the office for Environmental Health and hold a 5 star food safety rating. We have strict food safety policies in place and adhere to daily monitoring and recording practices.
The oysters that we supply to the local market for consumption have always been through a 48 hour purification process prior to delivery. To ensure that the purification system is doing its job, we test pre purification and post purification water samples monthly at the States of Guernsey Lab. In addition, we submit oysters to recognised, registered Scottish laboratories on a monthly basis for e-coli, salmonella and norovirus testing."
Pictured: Oyster stocks in Brittany are under scrutiny because of health concerns but the Bailiwick's main supplier says local stocks are perfectly safe to eat.
While there have been some concerns expressed over the safety of shellfish stocks, Ms Dickson confirmed the latest tests for her stocks all came back clear.
"I received the results of our January norovirus test, on Friday 10, and they confirmed that norovirus was undetected. We can never guarantee against someone having a personal allergic reaction to oysters, or any other food item for that matter, but we can confirm that the oysters that are sent out are completely safe to eat and our testing evidences this. We supply written guidance for the kitchen personnel of all the establishments that take our oysters, advising them on the best practice for the storage and handling of our oysters, and offer free training in person if it is required."
Ms Dickson also wanted to distance Herm & Guernsey Oysters Ltd from allegations the firm was linked to an illness in Alderney over the festive period. She said it was not the supplier.
"With regards to the comments made on your Facebook post, and the alleged illness(es) in Alderney, we can confirm that we did not supply oysters to the Island over the Festive period. I trust that this reassures consumers locally, and we’d be delighted to discuss this with anyone further should they require any further information."
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