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Shellfish: Health Hazards

Answer

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has statutory responsibilities in relation to the classification and monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas and is the lead body for the Government response to incidents involving the food chain including environmental pollution incidents that may present a food safety risk including sewage, chemical and oil spills.

We are advised by the FSA that when an environmental pollution incident is reported, it will engage with local enforcement authorities to identify any food safety risks. Where such risks exist, they ensure that appropriate action is taken at a local level to protect public health.

In respect of classified harvesting areas affected by environmental pollution, local authorities will issue a Temporary Prohibition Order to prevent further harvesting from that area. Notices will be displayed in the vicinity of the area and harvesters registered with the authority will be notified. Local authorities will also take steps to ensure that contaminated shellfish originating from the area are not placed on the market and that any already on the market are withdrawn. In respect of unclassified areas local authorities may post warning signs to inform recreational/private anglers or harvesters of the pollution incident or the area may be subject to an order made under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.

Data are set out in the following table on the number of cases of illness associated with shellfish reported in the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2011, excluding sporadic cases. These data are not specific to shellfish from heavily polluted areas as information is not collected at this level of detail.

Laboratory-confirmed cases associated with shellfish outbreaks
	England and Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland	UK
2007	3	0	0	3
2008	5	0	0	5
2009	11	0	0	11
2010	13	3	16	32
2011	7	0	0	7
Source: Health Protection Agency, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, June 2012

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

112111; 546 cc960-1W

Session

2012-13

Subjects

Health hazards Pollution Shellfish

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk