Diarhhetic shellfish poisoning associated with mussels from Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group Ltd. (Establishment Number: MD020 FEDPC).

The mussels were harvested on 30th November and 3rd December 2001 from shellfish production site M7. Routine toxin monitoring results of samples taken from this site on 26th November were DSP positive.

Date of harvest: 30th November and 3rd December 2001
Date of dispatch: 3rd December and 5th December 2001
Product supplied in 5 kg net bags in cartons each containing 4 bags
Labelling/Health mark on bags as on attached sheet

A list of the known companies having received the mussels and the quantities dispatched is also attached. Local Authorities with any of the listed premises in their area are requested to contact or visit the companies to ascertain local distribution to ensure that no mussels from this batch are still available. In the event of the mussels being supplied on to other outlets, Food Authorities should alert these outlets and advise the Agency and the Food Authorities in whose area the outlet is situated.

SSMG have contacted all customers and requested that they recall all affected batches of mussels. The SSMG have made the following statement:

‘A sample of mussels taken from a Sutherland mussel farm on Monday 26th November was reported on Thursday 6th December to contain DSP toxin. Mussels were harvested at the farm between 26th November and 6th December and placed upon the market. As a precautionary measure all mussels remaining in circulation from those harvests have been recalled and destroyed’.

It is likely, due to the short shelf-life of this product, that live mussels from the affected batches will already have been consumed, however some might have been processed into product with a longer shelf life. As such, action may be required by local authorities.

Please notify us immediately of changes to your contacts.

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