Lobster and Crab has domoic toxin in California warning
Filed under: Caution with these Foods, Dangerous Foods, Tips on Food Safety
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is warning all consumers of California spiny lobster to eat only the tail meat until further notice. Elevated levels of domoic acid toxin have been found in the viscera of lobster sampled from waters adjacent to the northern Channel Islands. Elevated levels of the toxin have also been detected in recent samples of rock crab, and so this warning also extends to this species. The meat of the lobster and crab is not affected by the toxin, but all internal organs, including the roe, should be discarded.
The lobster hunting season in the state of California is an annual event for scuba divers. Midnight “lobster hunts” are common this time of year.
Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include nausea or diarrhea, cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms typically disappear within several days, but in severe cases, the victim may experience life-threatening symptoms, or even death.
“DFG biologists are working with the Department of Public Health to increase the level of sampling for domoic acid along the coast,” said DFG Senior Invertebrate Specialist Kristine Barsky. “To date, there have been no known cases of poisoning. With this warning we want to ensure consumer safety, but not discourage people from enjoying these tasty crustaceans.”
Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin sometimes found in the microscopic marine algae that small fish, clams, and mussels eat. Crabs and lobsters feed on these animals and concentrate the toxin in their organs. The algal blooms can come and go quickly, so it’s difficult to determine exactly when and where they are present. Thus, this warning applies to all lobster and rock crab harvested in southern California.
As soon as domoic acid toxin is no longer detected in samples, DFG will issue another news release. In the meantime, check DFG’s website atwww.dfg.ca.gov/marine/healthadvisory.asp for updates and more information on this situation.
390 Tons of Ground Beef Recalled- Huntington Meat Packing Inc
Filed under: Banned Foods, Beef Recalls, e-coli, Product Recalls, Recall, Recalled Foods
Some 390 tons of U.S. ground beef recalled
Mon Jan 18, 4:46 pm ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Some 390 tons of ground beef produced by a California meat packer, some of it nearly two years ago, is being recalled for fear of potentially deadly E. coli bacterium tainting, U.S. officials said on Monday.
The beef was produced by Huntington Meat Packing Inc of Montebello, California, and shipped mainly to California outlets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety arm said.
An initial problem, in ground beef shipped by the plant from January 5 to January 15, was discovered during a regular safety check, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said.
It said it had received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled products.
During a follow-up review of the company’s records, government inspectors determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be of concern because they may have been contaminated with E.coli, the service said in a notice on its web site.
This batch was produced from February 19, 2008, to May 15, 2008. It also had been shipped to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels within California, the notice said.
“While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce,” it said.
E. coli is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause kidney failure in the most serious cases.
The service said it routinely conducts checks to verify that recalling firms notify customers, including restaurants, of the recall and that steps are taken to make sure the product is no longer available to consumers.
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