Paralytic Shellfish Poison has been detected in shellfish that were harvested from Buck Bay on Orcas Island in San Juan County, in Washington state on July 26 and 27, 2022, according to the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH). The shellfish, which included clams and oysters, were sold directly to consumers from Buck Bay Shellfish Farm's retail market, and to restaurants on the island. Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) is a naturally occurring marine toxin produced by some types of microscopic algae. Shellfish eat these algae and retain the toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Public health officials detected the toxin through their biotoxin monitoring program. The shellfish had PSP levels that were nearly four times the allowable levels for harvest. … [Read more...]
Evergreen Manila Clams Recalled in Canada For Marine Biotoxin
Evergreen International Foodstuffs Ltd. is recalling Evergreen Manila Clams from the marketplace because they may be contaminated with a marine biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The recalled product is Evergreen International Foodstuffs Ltd. Manila Clams, packaged in 25 pound containers. The Harvest Date is September 16, 2020, and the Processing date is September 17, 2020. The Harvest Location printed on the package is B.C. 17-20, and the lot number is 21057. They were sold in British Columbia and Ontario at the retail level. The Evergreen Manila clams may have also have been sold in bulk or in smaller packages without a label and may not have the same brand, product name, or code as … [Read more...]
Alaska Death From PSP Triggers Warning From Health Officials
An Alaska death from PSP triggers a warning from health officials in that state. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) occurs when a person is exposed to paralytic shellfish toxin. This is the first known PSP fatality in that state since 2010, although serious illnesses are reported more often. Since 1993, there have been four cases of PSP deaths in Alaska: one in 1994, one in 1997, and two in 2010. During that same time frame, there have been more than 100 cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning in that state. The person who died ate blue mussels and snails that were collected from a Dutch Harbor beach on July 4, 2020. The shellfish were cooked first; like most toxins, PSP is not rendered inactive by heat. The person did have underlying health conditions that contributed to … [Read more...]
Whatcom County Beaches Closed Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
According to a press release from the Whatcom County Health Department, Whatcom County beaches have been closed to recreational shellfish harvest because the paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxin has reached unsafe levels in molluscan shellfish in Drayton Harbor. All shellfish that is sold in restaurants and in retail markets has been tested before it is marketed and is safe to eat. Algae that contain marine biotixins can't be seen by the human eye. The only way to find them is through laboratory testing. During a biotoxin event, mussels and varnish clams usually contain the highest concentration of the PSP toxin. PSP and other naturally occurring toxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing. While crab meat is not affected by this toxin, crab butter and crab … [Read more...]
Pacific Oysters in Canada Recalled For Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Toxin
Pacific oysters by Albion Fisheries and Union Bay Seafood are being recalled in Canada because they may contain a marine biotoxin called PSP, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. The oysters were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario at the retail level. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The recalled oysters are Union Bay Seafood Ltd. Pacific oysters, Mica's Petite Effingham Inlet, sold in 5 dozen count. The Location is BC 23-6, the Landfile number is 1403799, and the Lot number is 20190715NW. The harvest date for these oysters is July 14, 2019. Also recalled is Union Bay Seafood Ltd. Pacific oysters Effingham Inlet Xs in 5 dozen count. The Location marked on the package is BC 23-6, Landfile is 1403799, and the lot number is 20190715NW. … [Read more...]
Pacific Oysters Recalled in Canada for PSP
Some farm raised Pacific oysters are being recalled in Canada because they may contain a biotoxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). This naturally occurring toxin can cause difficulty walking, muscle paralysis, respiratory paralysis, and death. No illnesses have been reported in association with the consumption of these oysters. The oysters were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and possibly nationally. The processors of these oysters include Albion Farms and Fisheries Ltd. at 1900 No. 6 Road in Richmond, British Columbia. The products is farmed oysters in the shell. All sizes of product under P.O. number 87606 are recalled. These oysters were sold from October 9 to October 16, 2017, inclusively. The other recalled product is Union Bay Seafood Ltd. … [Read more...]
Much of Vashon Island Shellfish Harvest Areas Closed for PSP
King County Public Health in Seattle, Washington, has closed most of Vashon Island beaches for shellfish harvesting after Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been detected at unsafe levels. Quartermaster Harbor is still open for harvest. The commercial harvest is not affected. PSP is a neurotoxin produced by a naturally occurring marine organism. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. PSP poisoning can be life threatening. You cannot determine if the toxin is present by looking at the water or shellfish; it can only be found with laboratory testing. The toxin does not change the taste or texture of shellfish. PSP is not the same thing as "red tide." Advisory signs at beaches have been posted by public health officials. The closure includes all species of shellfish, … [Read more...]
Quartermaster Harbor Closed in Washington for PSP
The Washington State Department of Health has closed Quartermaster Harbor for shellfish harvesting because Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) has been detected at unsafe levels in the shellfish on Vashon-Maury Island. The commercial harvest is not affected. Commercial beaches are sampled separately and commercial products should be safe to eat. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is caused by a neurotoxin produced by a naturally occurring marine organism. You cannot determine if this toxin is present simply by looking at the water or the shellfish. PSP can only be found with laboratory testing. The symptoms of PSP usually begin 30 to 60 minutes after eating contaminated shellfish, but may take several hours to appear. The first symptoms are numbness or tingling of the face, arms, and … [Read more...]
Illness Prompts Alaska to Issue Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Warning
A probable case of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) has prompted the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to issue a warning about recreationally harvested shellfish. PSP can cause death within hours of ingestion. Commercially harvested shellfish is tested are considered safe to eat. PSP is a toxin produced by algae during the warmest months of the year. When shellfish eat the algae, the toxin accumulates in their bodies. It cannot be e cooked, cleaned or frozen out of shellfish. When the contaminated shellfish is eaten is causes paralysis. Symptoms begin with a tingling sensation on the lips and tongue and moves to the fingers and toes. Depending how much of the toxin is ingested it progresses to loss of control of arms and legs, difficulty breathing and death in as … [Read more...]
In a Twist, China Bans U.S. Shellfish
We're used to hearing about how food from China is banned from entering the U.S., or that consumer and food safety groups oppose measures to bring food from that country here. But now China has turned the tables by banning all imports of West coast shellfish from its borders. The issue is paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins and arsenic found in geoduck clams harvested in Renton, Washington and Ketchikan in Alaska. No shellfish harvested on the entire West coast will be exported to China for the foreseeable future. The ban applies to clams, oysters, geoducks, and all bivalve shellfish harvested off Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and northern California. The health departments of those states routinely test for PSP and arsenic, as well as other parasites and bacteria. Officials with the … [Read more...]
