FDA wants summer's raw oysters treated

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi oyster dealers say consumers can expect prices to rise if the Food and Drug Administration goes ahead with a proposal to ban sales of raw oysters from the Gulf Coast during the warm months.

Estimates vary on how much the costs might go up for customers.

Jennifer Jenkins, of Crystal Seas Seafood in Pass Christian, tells The Sun Herald that she believes oysters could go from the current market price of about 20 cents apiece to as much as 70 cents. Kidd thinks the current market price might double.

Businesses, fishermen and the public in the Gulf of Mexico states are being urged to call their members of Congress and the White House to get the FDA to rescind its plan.