Today on Marine Science Minute with Florida Sea Grant: Seafood Safety 

Many Thanksgiving meals include oysters in one form or another. If you enjoy eating these shellfish, it might be best to eat oysters that are properly cooked! Although very rare, eating raw oysters comes with risk of exposure to Vibrio, a naturally occurring bacteria found in warmer waters. Anyone can get sick by eating raw or undercooked oysters, but pregnant women, younger children and older and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk.  

If eating raw oysters, make sure you know where they are sourced and follow proper handling practices after purchasing. The Florida Sea Grant Seafood Safety program helps producers to ensure safe seafood production and provides information to consumers on how to choose their seafood and handle it safely at home.  

For information about this and other coastal topics, contact your county extension office or visit Florida Sea Grant at flseagrant.org.