Tests on oysters from the toxic leak fallout zone near the Williamtown air force base show they pose no food safety risk.

PHOTO: Tests have been carried out in response to fishing and oyster harvesting bans after concerns about contamination from firefighting foam. (Kim Honan)

The tests were carried out in response to fishing and oyster harvesting bans put in place nearly a month after the contamination, stemming from firefighting foam used at the base.

An expert panel has been set up, and is overseen by the state's Chief Scientist Mary O'Kane.

She said the tests were encouraging.

"We considered the dietary exposure assessment by FSANZ, that is the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, on the oysters from Tilligerry Creek," he said.

"And the advice in to us, and the advice we considered and reaffirmed, is they do not present a food safety risk."

Professor O'Kane said the next step is promoting the fact that Port Stephens oysters are safe to eat.

"And to make sure that the wider community know about the safety of our oysters too," she said.

"So we need to make sure that we get messaging that works with the industry, so that's really important over the next couple of days for everyone to work through that."

Source: ABC News, 30^th September 2015
Originally published as: Williamtown oysters pose no food safety risk after firefighting foam contamination