Three quarters of British oysters contain norovirus, warns Food Standards Agency

More than three quarters of british grown oysters are suspected to be harmful for health as they contain norovirus,a research supported by Food Standard Agency(FSA).

The study tested the oysters grown from 39 beds in UK and found 76% of the oysters to be ill for health as they contained traces of an infectious bug “norovirus”.

Norovirus is RNA virus that causes approximately 90% of epidemic diseases effecting stomach and small intestine.

Although the researchers are still unable to determine the difference between infectious and non infectious norovirus material found in shell fish.The study would be reviewed by European Food Safety Authority to determine what should be the legal safe level of norovirus in oysters and the advice would be further processed to European Commission.

Andrew Wadge, chief scientist at the Food Standards Agency, said: ''This research is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be important to help improve the knowledge of the levels of norovirus found in shellfish at production sites

''The results, along with data from other research, will help us work with producers to find ways to reduce the levels of norovirus in shellfish, and work within Europe to establish safe levels.''

David Lees, the lead investigator at Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), said: ''Norovirus is a recognised problem for the sector, and this study provides important baseline data to help the industry and regulators to focus on the key risks.''