Mussels and Scallops recalled due to listeria contamination

Wegmans has recalled Ducktrap Smoked Mussels and Smoked Scallops,
Batch/UPC Code:	Ducktrap Smoked Mussels, 6oz  - UPC: 08267403923 Ducktrap Smoked Scallops, 6oz - UPC: 08267403925 These products were only sold at the stores in Pittsford NY, Northborough MA, Chestnut Hill MA, and Burlington MA.
Reason for Recall:	Ducktrap River of Maine has recalled these products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The affected packages were sold at Wegmans stores between August 19, 2015 and October 5, 2015. All product may be returned for a full refund. For more information, please call Ducktrap River at 1-800-434-8727, Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

Alaska cautions against eating recreationally harvested shellfish

A confirmed case of paralytic shellfish poisoning last week has prompted epidemiologists with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to remind Alaskans and visitors about the risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, when consuming recreationally harvested Alaska shellfish. All shellfish — including clams, mussels, oysters, geoducks and scallops — can contain paralytic shellfish poison. Crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but crab guts can contain unsafe levels of toxin and should be discarded. Commercially harvested shellfish are tested and considered safe.

The confirmed case last week involved a mixture of clams (horse, manilla, and butter) harvested from a beach north of Ketchikan the week of April 20, consumed the evening of April 24. The patient experienced typical symptoms of PSP within 30 minutes of consumption. Early signs of poisoning include tingling of the lips and tongue. Symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes, then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty breathing. Death can result in as little as two hours.

Fortunately, this patient did not experience severe symptoms. Clams leftover from the meal were tested at Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Health Laboratory and found to contain markedly elevated levels of saxitoxin (1,090 µg per 100 grams of meat). The regulatory limit is 80 µg per 100 grams.

Although clam diggers often look for signs of a “red tide,” there is no way to tell if a beach is safe for harvesting simply by looking at it. The toxins that cause PSP can be present in large amounts in shellfish even if the water looks clear and no algae bloom is present. Additionally, PSP cannot be cooked, cleaned or frozen out of shellfish. The Alaska Division of Public Health fact sheet on PSP can be found at:http://www.epi.alaska.gov/id/dod/psp/ParalyticShellfishPoisoningFactSheet.pdf

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is considered a public health emergency. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the Section of Epidemiology by health care providers at 907-269-8000 during work hours or800-478-0084 after hours. For more information on PSP go to: http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/id/dod/psp/default.htm

Mussels,Cams or Scallops from Monterey or Santa Cruz Counties Contain Toxin

CDPH Warns Consumers Not to Eat Sport-Harvested Bivalve Shellfish from Monterey or Santa Cruz Counties

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers not to eat recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish (such as mussels, clams or whole scallops) from Monterey or Santa Cruz counties due to dangerous levels of a naturally occurring toxin that can cause illness or death.

Dangerous levels of domoic acid have been detected in mussels from this region. This toxin, also known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), can cause illness or death in humans. No cases of human poisoning from domoic acid are known to have occurred in California.

This warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short term memory, coma or death.

To receive updated information about shellfish poisoning and quarantines, call CDPH’s toll-free “Shellfish Information Line” at (800) 553-4133. For additional information visit CDPH’s Natural Marine Toxins: PSP and Domoic Acid Web page  or Contact: Anita Gore, Heather Bourbeau (916) 440-7259