A change of mind at the FDA
Events, Legislation
November 16th, 2009
A couple of weeks ago, we posted about the FDA’s proposed ban on sales of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico in the warm months. Although the virus in question, vibrio vulnificus, causes 15 deaths a year, this ban seemed misguided to many in the industry, especially small producers whose aquaculture is beneficial for marine ecology and human eaters.
Well, maybe the FDA got the memo. Because over the weekend they announced that they were rethinking the ban. We’re glad, because the shellfish industry in the Gulf–and in other coastal areas around the country–should be supported, not stymied.
