Results tagged “paralyticshellfishpoisoning”

On the one hand, lobster is wicked cheap. On the other hand, if you eat it wrong, you will die. The FDA has found massive levels of the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in the tomalley of Atlantic coast lobster. Tomalley is the nasty green goo in the lobster's body cavity. High levels of PSP toxins can cause death; lower levels cause all manner of unpleasantness, from nausea to diarrhea, slurred or confused speech to burning lips. Cooking does not eliminate the PSP toxins, which are the result of red tide. Sweet, delicious lobster meat remains safe to eat. (Spotted on Universal Hub.) more ›

Red tide is upon us, and the government is taking steps to ensure our food remains safe. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is beginning to test some shellfish that may have been affected by red tide. The testing will start with surf clams and ocean quahog gathered from federal waters, which are not usually tested (shellfish from state waters are). more ›