Heat Inactivation of Hepatitis A Virus in Shellfish Using Steam

Shellfish are an important cause of foodborne viral illness. Consumer-friendly cooking recommendations for shellfish could improve food safety and decrease the risk for infection from contaminated products. Thermal inactivation parameters were established for hepatitis A virus (HAV) in mussels and validated with cooking experiments. Steaming for only 2–5 min was not sufficient to inactivate HAV in mussels in all layers of a steamer. Steaming mussels for 6 min was sufficient to inactivate HAV in all layers. These cooking guidelines produce shellfish with a reduced risk for foodborne virus transmission.