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French health authorities could not probe that Galician mussels were linked to a recent outbreak of diarrhea. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)
Galician mussels return to French market
SPAIN
Tuesday, October 05, 2010, 02:40 (GMT + 9)
Health authorities in France have lifted the ban on selling mussels from Galicia, as they were unable to provide analytical evidence demonstrating that the outbreak of diarrhea in mid-September was directly related to the consumption of this product.
Thus, the Galician mussel producers can resume shipments to the French market after completing a health alert decreed in the presence of the lipophilic toxin (diarrhea), which is caused by the red tide.
These results coincide with those expressed by the Ministry of Marine Affiars of the Xunta de Galicia in mid-September.
The authority said Galician mussels sent to the French market came from a polygon where there were no signs of the red tide, at least at the time of extraction.
Meanwhile, the controls developed by experts from the Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment (Intecmar) continue to indicate that there is still a presence of the toxin in Galicia.
Currently, site B of the Ares-Betanzos estuary remains closed, as did 17 of the 25 sites in Ria de Arousa.
Moreover, the polygons of Bayonne also remain unable to sell mussels, and the same has occured in Corme-Laxe, Muros and Noia.
The eight areas of Pontevedra mariculture are also closed and in the Ria de Vigo all the polygons in Redondela, Cangas and Vigo continue to be affected by the toxin, reports El Correo Gallego.
On the other hand, Intecma, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the University of Santiago de Compostela are developing an advanced course in safety management of bivalves.
The main objective is "to provide knowledge and skills in different areas of safety management for bivalve molluscs to improve sanitary quality control."
Related articles:
- Authorities deny claims over shortage of mussels
- France destroys shipment of imported Galician mussels
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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