American Lobster Advisory

SUGGESTED
ACTION:   American Lobster Advisory; American Lobster-Maine Lobster-Tomalley;
NO ACTION REQUIRED.  Information is provided in case of consumer inquiries.

From the information provided by FDA, consumers are warned not to eat tomalley in American Lobster because of potential contamination with dangerous levels of toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Specific distribution information is not available at this time.
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For Immediate Release: July 28, 2008
Media Inquires: Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-827-0955, Stephanie.Kwisnek@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

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.