France's Arcachon Bay oysters banned in run-up to New Year over food poisoning

France has banned the sale and harvest of its celebrated Arcachonoysters, a staple at New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country, amid a spike in food poisoning triggered by wastewater. The plump Pacific oysters from Arcachon Bay in south-west France are also among the most renowned and sought-after in the country. 

Consumers who purchased oysters for their year-end celebrations from Arcachon Bay are being warned to refrain from consuming them and to return them to the point of sale. The ban also applies to fish and shellfish from the same bay. Two weeks ago, a similar ban was enforced on oyster farmers in western France when 40 people fell ill after consuming local oysters and shellfish.