FDA Warnings for Maine Lobster

FYI, I assure you this is reliable, it cameout on Friday 8/1/08:

1. Please be advised that on July 18, 2008, The State of Maine issued an advisory warning regarding the American Lobster and the confirmation/presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) oocysts in the tomalley (green gland-liver) of the lobster. The PSP was found only in the tomalley not the lobster meat itself. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a marine biotoxin that cannot be cooked out and can cause serious illness or death if consumed in high concentrations. As you may be aware, Maine is experiencing difficulty with the restriction of harvesting all shellstock due to a red algae tide.

The recent press release that the FDA issued on July 28, 2008 is warning consumers about all lobsters, even if not harvested from the affected areas in Maine. The American Lobster is harvested here in the Northeast from Maine down to South Carolina, usually on the continental shelf of the ocean.

Local health departments are encouraged to distribute this advisory to the restaurants and markets, in their respective jurisdictions, that serve and sell whole lobster from the Northeast. It is noted that lobster is also imported from Ecuador, Brazil, as well as other countries. Restaurants carrying these (typically frozen) products or just tails are not affected by this advisory.

If you have any questions, kindly contact Cali Alexander NJDHSS Seafood/Shellfish Coordinator - Food and Drug Safety Program at 609-588-3123 or at calliope.alexander@doh.state.nj.us

For more information - please visit the following weblinks:

FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01866.html

MAINE:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maine_cdc_red_tide_information.htm