Shellstock oyster tags must be retained for how long after the last oyster is sold?

• A. 60 days after sale
• B. 30 days after shipment
• C. 90 days after all the oysters are sold
• D. 1 year

Answer: (C)

Shellstock oyster tags are kept to maintain traceability from harvest through sale. The key requirement is to retain the tag for 90 days after the last oyster from that harvest lot is sold. This period ensures there’s enough time to conduct recalls or investigations if a safety issue arises, while the lot is still within the supply chain’s traceable window. The tag (which identifies harvest location, date, and lot) helps pinpoint the source quickly if problems are found.

Options like 60 days after sale shorten the window and hinder traceback; 30 days after shipment focuses on shipment timing, not post-sale traceability; 1 year is longer than necessary for recall purposes. The correct duration—90 days after the last oyster from the lot is sold—aligns with standard shellfish program requirements.