Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, says the New Zealand Food Safety. File photo. Photo: 123rf
Bay of Plenty shellfish may be poisonous and should not be eaten, according to New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS)
The public are advised not to collect or consume shellfish on the east coast from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui due to the presence of toxins.
NZFS spokesperson Vincent Arbuckle said routine tests on shellfish showed unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin, which can affect common shellfish like mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat's eyes), Cook's turban.
"Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick," he said.
He warned that cooking the shellfish did not remove the toxin.
It is believed the toxin came from an algal bloom which was spreading in the region.
"This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get," said Arbuckle.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within three hours of eating, but could occur as quickly as 10 minutes after consuming the toxin.
Signs of poisoning may include numbness and a prickly feeling around the mouth, face, hands, and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, or in severe cases paralysis, respiratory failure, or death.
Pāua, crab, crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.
Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.
NZFS said it had not received any notifications of associated illness.
"NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation," said Arbuckle.
Anyone who became ill after eating shellfish from the coast should seek medical attention immediately and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
