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Original poster

Has anyone become ill from Whitstable oysters this weekend?

56 replies

32inchtv · 01/09/2021 01:55

I’m absolutely in agony and can’t keep anything down at all.
Only thing I can put it down to is the oysters.

I know there have been issues a few weeks ago but PHE tested and gave the all clear so they could go on sale again

Anyone had any issues this weekend?

OP posts:
Polpette · 01/09/2021 08:04

Not just tonnes, billions of tonnes. Until a few weeks ago it wasn't safe to swim here and there were red flags out in the beaches.

The oysters are tested really thoroughly but that doesn't make the idea of eating them any more palatable.

If it makes you feel better most of the oysters sold at the oyster festival aren't local.

Sorry you're ill OP.

Polpette · 01/09/2021 08:09

That should read billions of litres not tonnes! Either way it's disgusting.

It's just heartbreaking that they can get away with doing this deliberately.

otherstuffteam · 01/09/2021 08:09

Bloody scandalous. Puts you off eating from the sea altogether. Sad

idontlikealdi · 01/09/2021 08:10

The festival was postponed so out of season anyway and that's before you start to think about the sewage issue.

We were down that way at the weekend and I was amazed at the queue to get off the motorway for Whitstable. I know it's normally rammed but I've had it drilled into me not to eat them without an R in the month

KaleJuicer · 01/09/2021 08:15

After catching norovirus from oysters I don’t touch the things any more. You can’t tell - they will look and smell delicious as usual. I’ve BF a baby through norovirus and baby was fine. You need to keep your fluids up - tiny sips of water every 5 mins rather than big gulps.

worriedandannoyed · 01/09/2021 08:19

It's not the first time this year southern water have dumped sewage into the sea, it's been happening quite a lot this year all along that part of the coast. It is an utter scandal, and no way would I eat anything from the sea there.

Hope you are better soon X

Ostryga · 01/09/2021 08:26

@FreeBritnee

The only time I recall getting really ill was with oysters in a Loch Fyne restaurant. That was 10 years ago. Never again.
Same here!! I was on holiday in Bath and had oysters at Loch Fyne. Have never been so ill in my life. Have not had oysters (or been to a Loch Fyne) since!
TheWayTheLightFalls · 01/09/2021 08:28

Yes, my DH. Bought from The Forge who do claim that theirs are native oysters. He normally has an iron stomach and had a day of loose stools and feeling shaky.

Original poster
32inchtv · 01/09/2021 08:29

@TheWayTheLightFalls

Yes, my DH. Bought from The Forge who do claim that theirs are native oysters. He normally has an iron stomach and had a day of loose stools and feeling shaky.
When was this? Ours were also from the forge
OP posts:
TheWayTheLightFalls · 01/09/2021 08:29

When was this? Ours were also from the forge

Saturday.

TheGriffle · 01/09/2021 08:35

Apparently if you pour a can of full fat coke into a glass, add an extra spoon of sugar and stir it until it’s flat then take very small sips it helps line your stomach (and gives you back some of the sugar etc you’ve lost). Not tried it so can’t vouch for it though.

Mumdiva99 · 01/09/2021 08:36

Whitstable prides itself on it's Oysters and the oyster festival. They won't be selling large batches of dodgy oysters. If you got a bad one I would suggest you are very unlucky. (There is always a risk earing uncooked oysters).

The thing about the R in the month is no longer true with decent refrigeration. - The Oyster festival is usually in July. It was moved this year due to covid and keeping it smaller than usual.

Original poster
32inchtv · 01/09/2021 08:47

@Mumdiva99

Whitstable prides itself on it's Oysters and the oyster festival. They won't be selling large batches of dodgy oysters. If you got a bad one I would suggest you are very unlucky. (There is always a risk earing uncooked oysters).

The thing about the R in the month is no longer true with decent refrigeration. - The Oyster festival is usually in July. It was moved this year due to covid and keeping it smaller than usual.

That’s what I thought. They are world famous after all

It did concern me when I looked up online last night and saw the recent reports of the sewage dumps in august

OP posts:
Original poster
32inchtv · 01/09/2021 08:47

We have them every time we go and never had a problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
32inchtv · 01/09/2021 08:47

@TheGriffle

Apparently if you pour a can of full fat coke into a glass, add an extra spoon of sugar and stir it until it’s flat then take very small sips it helps line your stomach (and gives you back some of the sugar etc you’ve lost). Not tried it so can’t vouch for it though.
Will try that thank you
OP posts:
Original poster
32inchtv · 01/09/2021 08:48

@TheWayTheLightFalls

When was this? Ours were also from the forge

Saturday.

Thank you, I too usually have an iron stomach. This has knocked me massively

Never been so weak and shaky (and thanks to only having one toilet in the house, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t quite make it this morning Blush)

OP posts:
Chicchicchicchiclana · 01/09/2021 08:52

Isn't it disgusting that the fouling of the water by Southern Water hasn't made headline news? I had no idea this had happened this year and as a pp says - fines just result in higher bills for customers! Scandalous!

EmeraldGreenVelvet · 01/09/2021 08:54

If you will eat raw seafood, there is always a chance that you could get sick.

EmeraldGreenVelvet · 01/09/2021 08:54

@EmeraldGreenVelvet

If you will eat raw seafood, there is always a chance that you could get sick.
Sorry that sounded harsh. I hope you're better soon.
Mumdiva99 · 01/09/2021 12:35

The sewage is not raw sewage from toilets....but it is dirty waste water. So whilst they absolutely should not let it happen....It isn't quite as bad as it could be.

We were in Whitstable last time - 2 weeks ago - within 48 hours the water quality was good again. I swam there. A few tides and it's cleaned out.....

I hope.you feel better soon.

(I can't eat oysters any more as they always make me throw up.....we've come to the conclusion I eat too many!! So I now avoid them....)

tintodeverano2 · 01/09/2021 12:52

Isn't there a saying that you should only eat oysters if there's an R in the month? Are they even "in season" now?

My mum developed an allergic reaction to mussels suddenly and quite violently! Then years later the same happened with cockles. I don't know if they same can happen with other shellfish?

DrHildegardeLanstrom · 01/09/2021 12:55

Contact your local environmental health team

Cookerhood · 01/09/2021 13:00

A friend used to work in a microbiology lab & would never eat shellfish or seafood - her comment was that they hang around doing backstroke by sewage outlets. It rather put me off!
Hope you feel better soon.

ememem84 · 01/09/2021 13:09

Eugh. I had a rough oyster once. Never again. I feel for you @32inchtv feel better soon.

CrimeJunkie01 · 01/09/2021 13:15

Southern Water got a £20million fine, then dumped more sewage the following week.

Sorry you are ill @32inchtv I had mussels from Loch Fyne last year and was so ill and it left me with digestive problems for over a year