Do not eat SLO County shellfish, state warns. Dangerous levels of toxins detected

Mackenzie Shuman
·2 min read

Do not eat shellfish found along San Luis Obispo County’s shoreline, the California Department of Public Health warned on Friday.

Dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have been found in mussels from the county, the public health department said in a news release.

Mussels, clams or scallops are affected by the toxic outbreak, according to the public health department.

PSP toxins can cause illness or death in humans, and cooking does not kill the toxins.

The state’s shellfish safety notification is in addition to the annual mussel quarantine, during which the state public health department advises people to not eat self-harvested mussels from May 1 through at least Oct. 31. The annual quarantine is to generally protect the public from PSP toxins, which are normally detected at higher levels during the hotter summer months.

Dangerous levels of PSP toxins had not yet been found in San Luis Obispo County mussels until recently, prompting Friday’s safety notification.

Tidepools at Diablo Cove are filled with sea life, including mussels, sea anemones, sea stars and other organisms.
Tidepools at Diablo Cove are filled with sea life, including mussels, sea anemones, sea stars and other organisms.

The state’s notification does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources, the health department said.

“State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products,” the news release said. “Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.”

PSP toxins can affect people’s central nervous system and cause a tingling around the mouth and fingertips shortly after eating the impacted shellfish.

“These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing,” the Friday news release said. “In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.”

To get more up-to-date information on the shellfish advisory, call the California Department of Public Health’s toll-free shellfish information line at 800-553-4133 or view the online interactive map at www.tinyurl.com/bivalvemap.