80% of Italians to eat clams on Xmas Eve

(ANSA) - Rome, December 15 - Eight out of 10 Italians will eat clams on Christmas Eve in keeping with tradition according to a survey by the federation of fishery cooperatives Federcoopesca Confcooperative, published Thursday.
    Total expenditure on clams will be in excess of 30 million euros. The mollusc is rich in vitamin A, phosphate, potassium and protein, making it an important contribution to a correct diet for all ages.
    Italy produces roughly 60,000 tonnes of clams each year and is the biggest European producer and second biggest global producer of live clams, Federcoopesca says.
    The organisation recommends that consumers buy only clams that are sold in nets, carrying special guarantee labels.