Mussels recalled due to Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning biotoxin

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the mussels, described below, because they may contain Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) biotoxin.

The affected mussels were harvested by Island Sea Farms Inc. from the harvest location “Area: BC 13, Sub Area: 15”or “BC 13-15” between July 19 and August 2, 2011.

The following mussels are affected by this alert:

Saltspring Island Mussels
Aquacultured Edulis Mussels
5 lbs (2.27 kg)
All lots up to and including Lot # 289; all harvest dates up to and including August 2, 2011 (2011AU02)

Albion Fisheries Ltd
Mussel N/Shell Saltspring Isl
5 lbs
All harvest dates up to and including August 4, 2011 (8/04/2011)

Pacific Rim Shellfish Corp.
Mussels or Gallo Mussels
Various weights
All harvest dates up to and including July 31, 2011

Albion
SSI Mussels
Various weights
Ship dates of July 20 to August 4, 2011 inclusive

B & C Food
Mussels
Various weights
Processing dates of July 20 to August 4, 2011 inclusive

Retailers and restaurants are advised to check the tags or labels on mussel packages or with their supplier to determine if they have the affected product.

Consumers, who have purchased raw mussels from retailers between July 19 and August 6, 2011 inclusive, should check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. However, it may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these mussels.

The CFIA is collaborating with its partners, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and Health Canada to investigate these illnesses. This investigation is ongoing.

Food contaminated with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) biotoxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this biotoxin may cause Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning, a foodborne illness. Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and chills.

The Canadian harvester and distributors are voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For information on the Common Causes of Foodborne Illness, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml

For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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