Is It Safe To Eat Clams That Don't Open During Cooking?

Throwing away clams that don't open during cooking may feel wasteful, but taking this precaution is important to protect yourself or your family from becoming sick.

Most clams will have their shells shut to protect themselves. However, the cooking process will kill the clams and cause their muscles to relax and their shells to open.

If the clams remain shut, it may indicate they were already dead before cooking. Dead clams decompose quickly, harboring bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.