AN oyster company has become the first shellfish producer in the UK to be allowed to use a new natural gas as part of its purification system.

Maldon Oysters was first established in 1960 and run as a cooperative between fishermen, but since then the company has evolved and now has 3,500 acres of the River Blackwater under its management.

The company has emerged as one of the largest producers of Pacific oysters in the UK and, following four years of ground breaking research and development, can now use the pale blue gas, Ozone, to reduce the risk of its shellfish carrying Norovirus.

Ozone is a naturally produced gas, made up of three oxygen molecules, and by adding small amounts of it to the company’s purification tank system, the shelf life and flavour is improved, while the threat of any virus being carried is drastically reduced.

A company spokesman said: “As most people are aware, Norovirus is a big problem within the food industry and shellfish is regularly blamed for being a carrier of the virus, but our revolutionary system will reduce the viral contamination of shellfish by a huge margin over the standard UV purification-based systems.

“Using our new system we believe our shellfish are the cleanest, safest and healthiest available in the UK.”

In July 2003, the company were also the first shellfish farm in the UK to be awarded Organic status by the Organic Food Federation.

As well as selling oysters at the world-renowned Billingsgate Fish Market in London and to numerous nationwide restaurants, exports are also made to places including Dubai, Istanbul, Hong Kong and Singapore.