WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Commercial shellfish producers say a recent warning from the FDA should not scare people away from their product.

The warning about paralytic shellfish poisoning from Washington and Oregon coastlines applies to shellfish gathered recreationally.

Bill Dewey with Taylor Shellfish Farms says commercially produced shellfish is tested weekly for PSP and other contaminants…

“It’s just a different level of scrutiny that’s made to the commercial product versus recreational beaches where they don’t have the resources to test those on the frequency that we do [on] the commercial beaches,” Dewey said.

Dewey mentioned that mussels contract paralytic shellfish poisoning faster than other species and the Washington Department of Health also operates what they call “mussel sentinels.” These mussel sentinels are mussel stations they use to detect any traces of the toxin in state waters so they can quickly alert growers.

He says consumers can trust commercially produced shellfish.

“That product is, like I say, is routinely tested and anything they’re getting in the restaurants and in the grocery stores are safe.”

Whatcom County’s beaches have been closed to recreational shellfish harvesting since last month. The Washington Department of Health’s website has the latest information on safe shellfish gathering.