Oysters off Bledisloe menu

Caterers are steering clear of oysters at Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test match at Eden Park.

They said yesterday they did not want a repeat of the poisoned Korean oyster incident which left hundreds of people ill.

Corporate guests will be offered such gastronomical delights as "Chermoula scallop and monk fish brochette with mango salsa" and "Asian peking duck salad, sprouts, chilli, coriander, peanuts and mandarin dressing".

The source of the gastroenteritis outbreak, following the June 17 All Blacks v Ireland test, was found to be imported Korean oysters that were not meant to be served raw.

Event management company Capital Events, whose clients became ill at the Hall of Legends corporate area, has hired Relish Catering to serve about 3000 guests during Saturday's game.

It negotiated with Eden Park's exclusive caterer, Michael O'Brien Catering, to allow another caterer to be used for Saturday's game only.

Michael O'Brien Catering will provide catering for about 12,000 other corporate clients.

"We wanted to reassure our customers we wouldn't have a repeat incident. It's been a hot topic and we wouldn't want something to go wrong again," Capital Events managing director Terry Wilson said yesterday.

Michael O'Brien Catering venue manager Jay Larter said the Auckland Regional Public Health Service had offered some recommendations.

"We have implemented quite a few recommendations. We have had a good look at all procedures at the ground.

"Overall, it's a tightening up of food safety practices here at Eden Park."