Shellfish Warning - unsafe to eat from May 1 - October 31.

Mussels, clams, and other recreationally harvested mussels in San Mateo County are unsafe to eat. California Department of Public Health has detected elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in mussels in Pacifica. The sample was over the 80 ug/100g alert level. For your safety, please do not consume any shellfish until further notice.

Never assume mussels are safe to eat. While a quarantine on mussels takes effect annually from May 1st – October 31st as a safety precaution, the quarantine may become extended or take effect at any time of the year. Please call the biotoxin hotline at 1-800-553-4133 before including mussels or any shellfish on your menu.

Clams should be washed thoroughly and cooked. All dark parts of the clams and scallops must be discarded because biotoxin is concentrated in the dark parts if present. Only the white meat of clams and scallops should be prepared for human consumption.

For the latest quarantine and health advisory updates by the California Department of Public Health’s Marine Toxin Program, please call 1-800-553-4133 or click here.

For more information, visit San Mateo County Health/Shellfish