CDPH Lifts Warnings about Certain Shellfish from San Francisco and San Mateo Counties
Date: September 1, 2020
Number: SN20-003
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov | CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the July 1, 2020 shellfish safety notification related to sport-harvested clams and whole scallops in San Francisco and San Mateo counties. The safety notification was issued due to dangerous levels of naturally occurring paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins that can cause illness or death in humans. Recent testing shows concentrations of PSP toxins are at safe or undetectable levels.
The warning against eating sport-harvested bivalve shellfish (including mussels, clams, and whole scallops) from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties remains in effect.
This notification does not change the annual mussel quarantine, which still remains in effect. The annual quarantine prohibits the sport-harvest of mussels for human consumption and applies to all species of mussels harvested along the California coast, as well as all bays and estuaries, and will continue through at least October 31.
These warnings do not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources. State law permits only state-certified commercial shellfish harvesters or dealers to sell these products. Shellfish sold by certified harvesters and dealers are subject to frequent mandatory testing to monitor for toxins.
PSP toxins affect the central nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.
For the most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines, call CDPH's toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Web page.