Can you eat collected mussels?

Can you eat your own mussels? No, because consumer advocates are currently warning against the consumption of mussels they have collected themselves.

(30.07.2010) The State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety is currently warning against the consumption of mussels and oysters they have collected themselves. The mussels could contain harmful and toxic algae substances, as they said. Although there are still no acute cases of poisoning, but the high water temperatures lead to a rapid increase in the risk of poisoning, as it was said.

Many people are currently collecting shells at North Sea and Baltic Sea. And what could be more appropriate to eat the fresh mussels yourself? But beware, consumer advocates are currently urgently warning against consumption. Increased algae growth due to the high water temperatures could contaminate mussels and oysters with algae toxins. Hiltrud Schrandt from the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (Laves) in Cuxhaven said the mussels „may contain toxic substances“. If vacationers or coastal residents get hungry for clams, the mussels should not be collected but bought. Because the mussels are subject to strict controls under aspects of food safety and can „ therefore be eaten without hesitation“.

But this warning is apparently ignored by many people. Because at the Consumer Protection Center lately inquiries are made again and again, if one should eat the mussels, as Hiltrud Schrandt reports. But the answer is always clear „No“. Because mussels filter with their organism the water in the sea and thereby can look through the algae „Phycotoxins“ accumulate, which can endanger the health of people acutely. It is commonly believed that cooking these mussels could neutralize these toxins. But that's not true, as Schrandt points out: „These toxins can not be made harmless by cooking“.

In contrast to self-collected shells, the goods offered on the market are subject to strict and constant control. Because the fishermen are subject to one „constant self-control“ and consumer protection monitors this. But the supply of fresh mussels is currently rare. Traditionally mussels are harvested only in months, whose name contains an "R". "These are the months of the colder season, in which the risk of algae toxins due to the low water temperatures is significantly lower than now in the middle of summer," said the consumer advocate.

Toxic substances in shells can even lead to death.
If you eat the mussels, you may even risk your own life. Because the so-called "marine biotoxins" in mussels, can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, damage the autonomic nervous system of humans, cause paralysis and even lead to death in serious cases. So better keep your hands off it. (Sb)