FS51-08.10 October 2011 Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning

Summary

Bivalve molluscs are one of the only foods normally delivered to the consumer alive. This, and the fact that bivalve molluscs can selectively retain contaminants that are harmful to human health, means controls are in place to mitigate against potential contamination. A good understanding of the controls and how the animals respond to various handling regimes can lead to safer seafood being delivered to market. To ensure best practice guidelines are followed Seafish has produced a series of industry guidance notes for fishers and shellfish farmers. This fact sheet on Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) covers: what is ASP, the symptoms, algal toxins, the legislative framework, controls in place, how the samples are tested, what harvesters should be doing and sources of further information. Revised October 2011.

Author

• Mandy Pyke,
• Karen Green

Publication date

01 October 2011