Top Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreens Guaranteed to Protect Your Skin
In a recent health advisory, Piedmont Health explains the difference between physical and chemical sunscreen. However, today, we shift our focus to a less sun-related topic: the potential dangers of consuming dead mussels.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against putting sunscreen on infants, not usually. But when it comes to shellfish, especially mussels, the FDA issues a strong warning. Consuming dead mussels poses significant health risks primarily because they can harbour harmful bacteria and toxins that accumulate as they decompose.
Two key potential dangers include infection with Vibrio vulnificus, a "flesh-eating" bacterium commonly found in warm seawater, and the accumulation of marine toxins such as saxitoxin, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). These toxins are resistant to cooking and can cause neurological symptoms like tingling, paralysis, difficulty breathing, and can be fatal.
Given the difficulty in distinguishing toxin presence or bacterial contamination by taste, smell, or texture, it is strongly advised to avoid consuming dead mussels altogether. Proper handling, avoiding shellfish that do not open during cooking, thorough cooking, and sourcing shellfish from safe, tested waters are critical to prevent these health risks.
In summary, eating dead mussels can expose you to severe bacterial infections and marine toxins that cooking may not eliminate, making it unsafe and potentially life-threatening. Always remember to prioritise food safety, especially when it comes to shellfish.
For more information on sun protection and other health-related topics, refer to the FDA's guidance, ConsumerLab, the American Academy of Dermatology Association, and HealthyChildren.org. And should you experience serious medical symptoms, do not hesitate to call 911.
References:
- National Ocean Service. (n.d.). How do we know if shellfish are safe to eat? Retrieved from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/shellfish.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vibrio vulnificus. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vibrio/vulnificus/index.html
- Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Shellfish: Vibrio vulnificus. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/bacterial-foodborne-pathogens/vibrio-vulnificus
- World Health Organization. (2019). Foodborne parasites. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/foodborne-parasites
Skin care is an essential aspect of health-and-wellness, but it's important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against consuming shellfish, especially dead mussels, due to the potential dangers they pose to health. Such dangers include infection with Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that can cause severe illness, and the accumulation of marine toxins such as saxitoxin, which can be fatal. Despite these risks, distinguishing toxin presence or bacterial contamination by taste, smell, or texture can be difficult, making it crucial to avoid consuming dead mussels altogether. Proper handling, avoiding shellfish that do not open during cooking, thorough cooking, and sourcing shellfish from safe, tested waters are critical to prevent these health risks.
