Economic benefits or irradiation of molluscan shellfish in Louisiana

Louisiana is traditionally the number one producer of shellstock oysters in the United States in America, averaging approximately 12 million pounds of meats per year over the last ten years. In the last few years, however, extensive press campaigns questioning the safety of domestic seafood, especially raw molluscan shellfish, have created national public concern. As a result, large retail buyers entirely stopped purchasing oysters in 1988, and some states decided to require warning labels on raw oyster products. To regain public confidence in the safety of products, the oyster industry in Louisiana and throughout the country is supporting research, development and education for irradiation processing technology, mainly to eliminate species of Vibrio bacterial from live or raw processed oysters. The current estimated added cost of US $0.05-$0.08/lb for large volume commercial irradiation would certainly be considered a cost beneficial value-added processing step to the oyster industry in Louisiana and the entire country. The incentive is to offer an even safer product to all consumers, and to regain public confidence and the large commercial markets. Oyster industry leaders predict that acceptance of this technology by the public would cause the market to rebuild to its former levels or higher within six months to a year. 15 refs, 4 figs, 4 tabs