Fresh seafood is easily contaminated by bacteria, so cook it before eating

In response to the food poisoning outbreak at the "Food Paradise" restaurant involving imported oysters from South Korea suspected to be contaminated with norovirus, the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health reminded that fresh seafood and fish and shellfish are easily contaminated by Vibrio enteritidis or norovirus in the growth environment, and the public should fully cook them before eating.

The Food and Drug Administration reminds that fresh seafood is easily contaminated by bacteria and viruses. In order to avoid food poisoning, it should be fully cooked before consumption.

The main symptoms of food poisoning caused by Vibrio enteritidis or norovirus include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea and headache. The Food and Drug Administration points out that the incidence of food poisoning caused by Vibrio enteritidis ranks first in the country. Vibrio enteritidis is a bacterium that grows in seawater. It grows in a comfortable environment of 30 to 37 degrees Celsius and can double in just 12 to 18 minutes. Norovirus is one of the most common viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly and widely, and only a very small number of virus particles (1 to 10) are needed to cause illness.

Since eating contaminated raw seafood and fish and shellfish is very likely to cause food poisoning, the Food and Drug Administration calls on the public to avoid eating raw aquatic products and to fully heat and cook them before eating; containers, knives, and cutting boards used for raw and cooked food should be separated and not mixed to avoid cross contamination; and wash hands frequently to prevent food poisoning.