Great Britain: 70 People Sick From Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the naturally-occurring toxins can cause acute food poisoning. The move came after about 70 people in south-east England reported symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.The cases have been linked to the eating of mussels from Shetland.Islands

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning causes diarrhea, although nausea, vomiting and cramps are all common, too. The symptoms usually start within about half an hour of ingesting infected shellfish, and last for about one day. The disease is not fatal.

The FSA recorded the high levels of toxins during its weekly monitoring programme. According to the FSA, the toxins are produced by marine phytoplankton and levels are typically higher in summer.

A total of 11 harvesting areas in waters to the north and west of the islands have been shut by Shetland Islands Council and businesses operating in the remaining nine areas have decided to voluntarily stop commercial harvesting.

Maggie Sandison, executive manager of environmental health at Shetland Islands Council, said: "This year we've seen an unprecedented amount of toxin and the levels have increased from one week to another higher than we've ever seen before."

Shetland Mussels, which supplied the affected shellfish, has told the FSA that all of their customers have been contacted and all mussels from that batch have been consumed or disposed of.

Shetland Mussels managing director Michael Tait said: "This is the first time that we have experienced a problem with customer illness in our 16 years of production.

Shetland Mussels is SALSA (Safe And Local Supplier Approved) approved with full traceability, which has allowed us to isolate the affected batches, and this system has worked well in this situation.A voluntary withdrawal of all Shetland mussels from the market has been undertaken until the current high levels of toxins in the water has subsided

The recent warmer temperatures have led to an unprecedented level and increase of algal blooms the water has subsided

The FSA said mussels were supplied to a number of restaurants, with customers reporting being unwell after eating at establishments across south east England.

Last month, members of the public were advised not to eat clams and mussels from two areas of Fife, after high levels of toxin were found in shellfish.

Fife Council said routine sampling found evidence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, commonly known as PSP, in surf clams from Anstruther and Pittenweem.

The Shetland mussel industry is worth £5 million a year and employs 132 people at 24 sites across the isles. It produces 69 per cent of Scotland’s mussels and recently achieved accreditation for sustainability from the Marine Stewardship Council.