They are of a decent size, about 3 to 4 inches, and all black. politics & government Wanna Harvest Mussels Along the Beach and Eat Them? Read the Will cooked mussels keep overnight? Whenever I'm at any beach from Santa Monica up to Malibu, I occasionally see mussels growing on the rocks near shore. Raw mussels may harbor bacteria that are harmful to you and your unborn child. Also make sure you’re not in any of these protected areas, and have fun! For this reason, it’s important to ensure that you eat only fresh, well-cooked mussels. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) offers over 100 site-specific advisories for lakes, rivers, bays, reservoirs, and the coast. Does anyone know if it's safe to just harvest these things? Mussels are fresh when the shells are closed – when they're alive. A guide to buying and cooking mussels. Mussels contain 146 calories per 3-ounce serving, and also supply 20.23 grams of protein. Also make sure you’re not in any of these protected areas, and have fun! Blue mussel. Given this definition, mussels have significant amounts of vitamin B-12, phosphorus and iron. It’s actually legal and ok to harvest, cook, and eat mussels in northern california, and I myself have done so. Pull 'em off and steam them? Is it legal? Most of the 3.81 grams of fat are in the form of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, making them a … Health Advisories and Closures for California Finfish, Shellfish and Crustaceans The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) coordinates a routine monitoring program along the California coast to sample mussels and other shellfish like clams and scallops for the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and domoic acid toxins. Mussels don't have the same cachet as other shellfish, but when steamed in a mixture of white wine, garlic, parsley and butter, they make a fabulous dinner. Whenever I'm at any beach from Santa Monica up to Malibu, I occasionally see mussels growing on the rocks near shore. Once you've zeroed-in on the rope-grown, farm-raised mussels at the store, you want to make sure they're fresh. Are they safe … health & fitness Health Warning: Don't Eat Mussels From San Francisco Bay Researchers say they contain a toxin that can cause liver damage. The U.S. government considers a food a good source of a vitamin when it gives you 10 percent of the recommended daily value in a single serving. “L.A. Good mussels should look wet and smell like the ocean, salty and clean. The mussel samples are sent to the California Department of Public Health and tested for unsafe levels of naturally occurring toxic materials known as “biotoxins.” Results are published once a month to keep the public informed on when it’s unsafe to eat mussels and other shellfish. Dr Karl applies some muscle power of his own to wrench open the facts. Mussel myth an open and shut case The habits of people choosing mealtime molluscs stick as tightly as a barnacle. The purpose of this quarantine is to protect the public from deadly poisons that may be present in bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops. You should make sure they were alive when you got them; you need to eat them within a day. discussion from the Chowhound General Discussion, Mussels food community. This makes mussels safe for you to eat during pregnancy as a part of a healthy diet. The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has withdrawn warnings to avoid eating mussels from Berkeley Marina and Rodeo Beach, now that tests show no elevated health risk due to contamination in the area affected by the Cosco Busan oil spill.