Tools to reduce health risk after seafood consumption

The European Commission, within its Fifth Framework Programme and linked to the Fair-Flow 4 project, has funded a three-year project entitled "Virus Safe Seafood", with the overall objective to provide useful and rapid tools for the evaluation of human viral contamination of shellfish and to innovate technology for shellfish purification.

Shellfish, acting as filter-feeders, can actually transfer harmful micro-organisms without being affected by them. These animals, bred in seawater, can accumulate contaminants, among them human enteric viruses, which are able to persist for a long time in the animal. If a viral contamination occurs in the harvesting areas, shellfish can also be contaminated.

Epidemiological studies have linked viral illnesses to the consumption of contaminated shellfish meeting bacterial standards. Yet, the presence and number of typical indicator bacteria have not correlated with the type and amount of viruses.

Co-operative research between multidisciplinary partners has been settled for the following main objectives: the determination of viral input and shellfish contamination; the evaluation of the persistence of enteric viruses in the environment; and the optimisation of shellfish purification.

According to the European Commission, the research results are expected to provide various tools to evaluate the accuracy of EC standards, to reduce the risk caused by seafood consumption and to provide sustainable development in shellfish production.

Flair-Flow 4 is supported by the European Commission within the 5th Framework Programme under the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources, Key Action 1. It comprises a network that disseminates food research results to consumer groups, health professionals and the food industry in 24 European countries.