Problem: mussels can bio-accumulate lethal naturally occurring toxins, and it is difficult to evaluate their safety.[1] I grew up around commercial fisherman in Alaska. All sorts of wild food was commonly hunted or gathered, but eating wild mussels was not done. They were supposed to be safe most of the time, but it was regarded as not worth the risk. CDC continues to document cases of PSP in that region.[2]
Please don't gather wild mussels unless you really know what you are doing.
Per US Dept of health:
"If the water isn't red, does that mean the shellfish are safe to eat?
Not necessarily. Paralytic Shellfish Poison can be present in large amounts even if the water looks clear. Also, the toxin can remain in shellfish long after the algae bloom is over.
Can I tell if shellfish are toxic by how they look?
No. Shellfish containing toxic levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison don't look or taste any different from shellfish that are safe to eat. Laboratory testing of shellfish meat is the only known method of detecting Paralytic Shellfish Poison.
Does cooking the shellfish make it safe to eat?
No. Paralytic Shellfish Poison isn't destroyed by cooking or freezing."
Comments
Problem: mussels can bio-accumulate lethal naturally occurring toxins, and it is difficult to evaluate their safety.[1] I grew up around commercial fisherman in Alaska. All sorts of wild food was commonly hunted or gathered, but eating wild mussels was not done. They were supposed to be safe most of the time, but it was regarded as not worth the risk. CDC continues to document cases of PSP in that region.[2]
Please don't gather wild mussels unless you really know what you are doing.
Per US Dept of health:
"If the water isn't red, does that mean the shellfish are safe to eat?
Not necessarily. Paralytic Shellfish Poison can be present in large amounts even if the water looks clear. Also, the toxin can remain in shellfish long after the algae bloom is over.
Can I tell if shellfish are toxic by how they look?
No. Shellfish containing toxic levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison don't look or taste any different from shellfish that are safe to eat. Laboratory testing of shellfish meat is the only known method of detecting Paralytic Shellfish Poison.
Does cooking the shellfish make it safe to eat?
No. Paralytic Shellfish Poison isn't destroyed by cooking or freezing."
[1] https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/Rec...
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6045a3.htm?s_cid...