Eating unpasteurized raw oysters is a bad idea anytime

If you believe the old wives’ tale that it is safe to eat oysters in months that have an “R” in their spellings, you are risking your health. Eating unpasteurized raw oysters is a bad idea anytime, says UAB biology professor Asim Bej, Ph.D. Shellfish accumulate microorganisms and toxins from surrounding waters during their filter-feeding process.

Bej suggests that people who love eating raw oysters should consider pasteurized raw oysters that have been processed to remove most of the pathogens. “Though people like the delicacy of raw oysters, the safest way to eat oysters is cooked.”