Map of Bivalve mollusc (shellfish) classification zones. Available on Magic,
Spire and Cefas website.
Bivalve mollusc (shellfish) harvesting areas are classified according to the
extent of contamination shown by monitoring of E. coli in shellfish
flesh. Treatment processes are stipulated according to the classification
status of the area.
The classification categories are:
Class A (80% of samples must be ≤ 230 E. coli/100g; all samples must
be less than 700 E. coli/100g) - molluscs can be harvested for direct human
consumption
Class B (90% of samples must be ≤ 4600 E. coli/100g; all samples
must be less than 46000 E. coli/100g) - molluscs can be sold for human
consumption:
- after purification in an approved plant, or
- after re-laying in an approved Class A re-laying area, or
- after an EC-approved heat treatment process.
Class C (≤ 46000 E. coli/100g) - molluscs can be sold for human
consumption only after re-laying for at least two months in an approved
re-laying area followed, where necessary, by treatment in a purification
centre, or after an EC-approved heat treatment process.
In all cases, the health standards in Annex III of EC Regulations 853/2004 and
the microbiological criteria adopted under EC Regulation 2073/2005 must be
met. Molluscs must not be subject to production or collected in prohibited
areas.
There are two classification systems in England and Wales:
( 1.)the annual or "temporary" classification system
( 2.)the long-term classification (LTC) system.
New areas are initially given annual/temporary classifications until they meet
the criteria for an LTC. Harvesting sites that do not meet LTC criteria are
automatically classified under the annual/temporary classification system.
Classification: Class A=1, Class B=2, Class C=3, Prohibited=4, Long Term Class
B=5, Seasonal Class B/Class C=6, Seasonal ClassA/Class B=7