In the year 1900, the Canadian Department of Fisheries sent five barrels of fresh oysters to compete at the World's International Exposition held in Paris, France.

Three barrels of Malpeque oysters from

Prince Edward Island and two barrels from

Shediac Bay, New Brunswick were sent by steamship to Paris.

The oysters traveled over 4,500 kilometers and were over three weeks out of the water before judging.

Despite this, an international panel of judges from France, the United States, Japan, Russia, Romania, and the Netherlands awarded the Malpeque oysters the top prize or "Grand Prix" for the tastiest oyster in the world.