FDA News
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2008
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FDA Advises Against Consumption of
American Lobster (Maine Lobster) Tomalley
Regulators find dangerous levels of toxins that
cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers to avoid
eating tomalley in American Lobster (Maine Lobster), regardless of where
the lobster was harvested, because of potential contamination with
dangerous levels of the toxins that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
American lobster, also known as Maine lobster, are harvested from the
waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Northeastern Canada to South Carolina,
inclusive.
The FDA advisory applies only to tomalley, the soft, green substance
found in the body cavity of the lobster that functions as the liver and
pancreas. Cooking does not eliminate the PSP toxins. However, studies have
shown that, even when high levels of PSP toxins are present in lobster
tomalley, lobster meat itself is typically unaffected.
Symptoms of PSP include tingling and/or numbness of the mouth, face or
neck; muscle weakness; headache; and nausea. In extreme cases, when large
amounts of the toxin are consumed, these symptoms can lead to respiratory
failure and death. Symptoms usually occur within two hours of exposure to
the toxin. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical
attention.
PSP toxins normally occur from time to time in clams and other
shellfish and are carefully monitored by state regulatory authorities. The
FDA learned of this problem after routine sampling conducted by regulatory
authorities in Maine and New Hampshire found dangerous levels of the
toxins in lobster tomalley. Some shellfish beds have been closed in recent
months due to elevated levels of PSP toxins.
Lobster tomalley normally does not contain dangerous levels of PSP
toxins. The current high levels of PSP toxins likely are associated with
an ongoing red tide episode in northern New England and eastern Canada.
Authorities in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as in
Canada, have issued advisories cautioning against eating tomalley.
For more on seafood safety, please refer to
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood1.html. |
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