On Friday 2 November, Food Standards Australia New Zealand issued a recall on products branded Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels and Coles Cooked Tasmanian Mussels that may be contaminated with a naturally-occurring biotoxin, Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST).
PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Executive Director, Professor Mehdi Doroudi, said consumers could be confident that South Australian grown mussels remain safe to eat.
“South Australia enjoys a world-class Biosecurity reputation and is highly regarded for the strength and quality of our fisheries and aquaculture management,” Professor Doroudi said.
“Local shellfish harvesting areas are regularly monitored by the state shellfish control authority, the South Australian Shellfish Quality Assurance Programme (SASQAP).
“This includes routine testing for biotoxins in shellfish meat to ensure our seafood meets the highest possible standards.
“To date, PST has never been detected in the State’s shellfish harvesting areas and the government remains committed to working with industry to ensure we retain this reputation.”
South Australia produces 25 per cent of the approximately 5000 tonnes of mussels that are produced nationally each year.
There are only two mussels processors operating in South Australia, distributing mussels branded as Boston Bay, Kinkawooka and Spencer Gulf mussels.
