Certain raw oysters harvested in British Columbia may contain… — recall 48982

Reported risk: Ottawa, October 17, 2011 - The public warning issued on October 15, 2011 for raw mussels has been expanded to include raw in-shell oysters and shucked oysters distributed by various shellfish processors in British Columbia. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to serve or consume the raw in shell oysters and shucked oysters described below because these shellfish products may contain paralytic shellfish toxins that can cause illness if consumed. The following raw in shell oysters and shucked oysters harvested between October 2 to 14, 2011 from sub area 15-4, Okeover inlet in British Columbia, are affected by this alert: These raw in-shell oysters and shucked oysters were primarily distributed to wholesalers and institutional clients such as restaurants. However, the affected products may also have been sold in smaller quantities at some retail seafood counters. Consumers who are unsure whether they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer or supplier. These products has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. However, they may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. There have been no reported cases of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) associated with the consumption of these products. Paralytic shellfish toxins are a group of natural toxins that sometimes accumulate in bivalve shellfish that include oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and cockles. Non-bivalve shellfish, such as whelks, can also accumulate PSP toxins. These toxins can cause PSP if consumed. Symptoms of PSP include tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, hands and feet, and difficulty swallowing. In severe situations, this can proceed to difficulty walking, muscle paralysis, respiratory paralysis and death in as quickly as 12 hours. The shellfish processors are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. For more information on Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) , visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/pspe.shtml