The Popular Seafood Appetizer That Restaurant Workers Say They Don't Order - Tasting Table

"According to the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and even Food Network, among many others, you should only eat oysters that have been cooked thoroughly. Food service workers on Reddit are often strongly against eating raw oysters. One hotel worker on Reddit said their employer forbids them from eating raw oysters to minimize the risk of spreading illness to customers."

"In 2025, six people died after eating oysters harvested in Louisiana that were infected with a flesh-eating strain of Vibrio bacteria. There is no way to tell if an oyster is infected with Vibrio. They don't smell, look, or taste different. So it's not like you can assume a higher-end restaurant or even one with fresher product is safer."

"Raw oysters can also be infected with Salmonella. There is also no safer time of year to eat oysters, despite a common myth that claims bacteria levels are not dangerous during certain months."

Raw oysters pose significant health risks despite their popularity at seafood restaurants. The CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and Food Network all recommend consuming only thoroughly cooked oysters. Food service workers frequently avoid raw oysters due to illness concerns, with documented cases of norovirus outbreaks and deaths from Vibrio-infected oysters harvested in Louisiana. Vibrio bacteria cannot be detected through sensory inspection, making restaurant quality or freshness irrelevant to safety. Salmonella contamination also occurs in raw oysters. Restaurant workers often refuse to eat raw oysters or only order from specialized establishments, indicating industry-wide awareness of these dangers.

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