Shellfish get safety okay

The toxic shellfish health warning that has been in place for 15 months has been lifted.

Toi Te Ora Public Health Service said this morning that routine sampling indicated the levels of shellfish toxin were now within safe limits for all of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel coastline.

"We know the shellfish warning has been an inconvenience, especially over the past two summer holiday periods, and we would like to thank the public for their endurance and co-operation," medical officer of health Jim Miller said.

People should still be cautious when deciding where to gather shellfish and preparing shellfish for consumption, Dr Miller said. The most effective way to ensure illness didn't result from eating shellfish was to buy them from a shop or collect them from areas where the seawater was clean and less likely to be contaminated.

For advice on health warnings regarding shellfish collecting, contact your local health protection officer on 0800 221 555 or visit www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz.