Health Canada issues lobster tomalley advisory
13.05.2008 14:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Health Canada is advising people to limit their consumption of tomalleys, the loose, green substance found inside cooked lobsters, out of concern for possible toxic contamination.  The tomalley acts as the lobster's liver.(CBC)It's a part of the lobster that many put aside, but Phyllis Carr and Christine Paynter told CBC News as they sat down to a feed of lobster on the North Shore of P.E.I. last week that they can't get enough of it. "It's so good and sweet," said Carr, who runs a lobster pound in Stanley Bridge. "When my father owned the lobster pound we always had lobster," said Paynter. "We'd eat it every day, pretty well. Eat two or three small ones a day. Never hurt us. I'm still here." Tomalley acts as the liver in the lobster and plays a role in filtering toxins. Eating the tomalley could cause exposure to the paralytic shellfish toxin, says Health Canada. Symptoms of a mild exposure include a tingling sensation or numbness of the lips shortly after eating. More serious side-effects include muscular paralysis, choking, even death.  Phyllis Carr is concerned the warning could hurt her lobster pound business.(CBC)Health Canada recommends children eat no more than one tomalley per day, and adults no more than two, but says there are no restrictions on the consumption of lobster meat.
Both Carr and Paynter have exceeded that tomalley limit on many occasions, but they aren't concerned. "I've been doing it my whole life and haven't seen any effects of that, ever," Carr said. She is more concerned how the warning might affect her lobster pound business. "It does put a fear into people if they think they're going to get sick from it," she said. Health Canada says it has never had a report of people getting sick from toxic tomalleys. It added if it does hear of cases, it will issue another warning. Post a commentPeople have commented on this storyRecommend this storyPeople have recommended this storyStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKStory comments (0)Sort:Most recent | First to last | Most recommendedPost your commentNote: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are pre-moderated/reviewed and published according to our submission guidelines. Comment:Characters allowed: 2500PostSubmission policyRelatedExternal LinksHealth Canada advisory: Consumption of lobster tomalleys(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesBeta blockers before surgery increase risk of strokes, heart attacks00The largest-ever trial looking at the use of beta blockers in non-cardiac surgery suggests they do more harm than good. Forced chemo treatment of child 'heavy-handed' decision: bioethicists00A Hamilton family will be in court Tuesday, fighting to regain custody of their sick, 11-year-old boy, who himself is fighting doctors' orders for more chemotherapy. Celebrex and Aleve show no benefit for Alzheimer's patients00Results from a large U.S. government experiment are dimming hopes that two common painkillers can prevent Alzheimer's disease or slow mental decline in older people. Ontario considering partial restrictions on older drivers00Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley is looking at limiting driving privileges for older motorists, instead of a total licence suspension when a doctor says they could be a danger on the road. Williams out of bounds with cancer inquiry criticism: Gomery 00Danny Williams was wrong to critique the tone and speed of the judicial inquiry investigating flawed breast cancer testing, John Gomery says. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHCholeraDisease of disasterIN DEPTHFood PricesRising food costs: Are they sabotaging proper nutrition?CONSUMERCalorie trackerIN DEPTHFoot-and-mouthHuman, animal versions unrelatedHEALTHLightning ProcessControversial training program comes to CanadaPeople who read this also read …
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