If you consume fresh scallops, it won’t hurt you. In fact, they can provide you with some amazing health benefits. However, if the scallops are not fresh or if they have been frozen for more than 3 months, there is a chance of harmful bacteria growth, like e.coli, that can lead to food poisoning or foodborne illnesses such as salmonella. Also, since scallops grow in estuaries and feed on the microorganisms that live in that water, the scallops might be dangerous for consumption if the water is contaminated. Because of that, always look to buy scallops from reputable scallop farms.