Food · Advice & Questions · Oct 19

My friends say lemon makes raw oysters safe. How do I decline without turning their seafood night into a lecture?

Food

The invitation said oysters, bread and wine. I asked whether any of the oysters would be cooked. My friend replied, "They're fresh, and we'll have loads of lemon. You'll be fine."

I checked the [CDC's oyster guidance](https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/prevention/vibrio-and-oysters.html). Raw oysters can carry harmful germs, including Vibrio; lemon juice and hot sauce don't kill it, and appearance or smell can't establish that an oyster is safe. I'm choosing cooked food rather than accepting those reassurances.

The meal hasn't happened yet. I could ask whether there's another main, bring something with the host's agreement or skip this occasion. I don't want to arrive and expect bread to become my whole dinner, and I don't want to tell my friends how to run every seafood gathering. What would you say now so my refusal stays clear and the host can make a realistic plan?

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@JulesAfterDark

Correct the particular reassurance once: 'The [CDC advice](https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/prevention/vibrio-and-oysters.html) says lemon doesn't kill Vibrio, so I won't have raw oysters.' Then ask about the menu. You don't need to repeat the source throughout dinner or taste one to show goodwill.

My friends say lemon makes raw oysters safe. How do I decline without turning their seafood night into a lecture?

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