The Chief Health Officer is warning that regardless of what you think about Peter Slipper’s text messages you don’t want to be hanging onto some batches of mussels:
On 2 November 2012, a national recall was announced for mussels that may be contaminated with a naturally occurring biotoxin called paralytic shellfish toxin. Shellfish may accumulate this toxin when exposed to algal blooms. Certain areas of Tasmania are currently experiencing algal blooms, resulting in the closure of several shellfish farms.
The affected mussel products are:
— Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (vacuum plastic packed) 500g and 1Kg – Use by dates between 31 October 2012 and 10 November 2012
— Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (net bag packed) 1 Kg and 2 Kg – Use by dates between 29 October 2012 and 6 November 2012
— Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (Bulk packed to be sold loose) 10Kg and 15 Kg – Packed on dates between 22 October 2012 and 31 October 2012
— Coles Cooked Tasmanian Mussels with cream white wine 500g – 12 November 2012.
These mussels have been distributed to the ACT, NSW, Vic, Tas, Qld and SA.
“Consumers should check any mussels in their home to ensure they are not part of the recall. If you do find these mussels, you should either dispose of them or return the packets to the place of purchase for a full refund,” Dr Pengilley said.
[Photo courtesy the Spring Bay Seafoods website]