Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Bay of Plenty coast from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui due to the presence of toxins.
“Routine tests on tuatua from the location have shown levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “The warning extends from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui.
See the map of the warning for Bay of Plenty
“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.
“Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban.
“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.
“We are monitoring an algal bloom in the region, which is spreading. 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.”
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:
- numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- dizziness and headache
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhoea
- paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.
Pāua, crab and 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.
New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.
If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.
“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Find out more
Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts
See signage in the affected area.
Podcast about shellfish contamination
Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning
Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]
