Safe Handling Tips for PEI Shellfish

Food and Recipes » Cooking Guide » Cooking Seafood

Safe Handling Tips for PEI Shellfish
By. Leaftech

Like all coastal areas in Canada, Prince Edward has a very particular appeal for seafood lovers everywhere. Namely, you can harvest a variety of shellfish (including crabs, lobsters, clams, oysters, scallops, and mussels) yourself right off the beaches, or you can buy the species fresh from any number of stores or marinas.

While the abundance of shellfish is a seafood lover's dream, it is important to note that this food source can be one of the most susceptible to bacteria, which cause food borne illnesses. The soft bodies of shellfish, which are of course the parts that humans and other animals love to eat, are easily penetrated by these bacteria, which also breed at a rapid rate. The only way to avoid getting sick is to ensure that you handle Prince Edward Island shellfish correctly; here are a few tips.

Be aware of conditions before you go out gathering. One common illness among seafood lovers who gather their own shellfish is caused by the oceanic phenomenon known as red tide. Red tide is caused by algae, which start to rapidly breed in a certain water zone. This algae produces natural toxins, which although not harmful to the shellfish, can make humans very ill. The only way to avoid red tide poisoning is to make sure that you are aware of any occurrences along Prince Edward Island beaches. It is a localized event so you can move to another part of the province for gathering if you wish; you should also note that red tide affects some shellfish species and not others.
Proper storage. The key to storing any shellfish before you consume it is in the storage. Every seafood lover agrees that the best way to eat shellfish is as fresh as possible; keep your critters alive by storing them in cool salt water until you are ready to cook them. If that is not possible, you must ensure that your shellfish are kept refrigerated in the period between purchase and consumption; temperatures above 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees Celsius) will lead to ideal bacteria breeding grounds!
Time. Even with proper storage, bacteria will eventually begin to breed on your shellfish. It's important to eat mussels, oysters, and other creatures with two days of purchase. If you are unable, you can freeze them, but they will definitely lose some of their flavour!

Prince Edward Island is a seafood lover's dream. There are multitudes of shellfish to be consumed, but in order for it to be of the best quality it is important to follow the handling tips we listed above.

Users Reading this article are also interested in:

Top Searches on Cooking Seafood:

• Safe Food Handling

• Food Handling

About The Author, Leaftech

Cooking Seafood

•	Healthy With Seafood Recipes
•	Tilapia Fish Recipes
•	Salmon Recipes: The Ultimate Gastronomical Delight!
•	Fresh seafood and stone crabs - a genuine delight!
•	Smoked Seafood A Happy Treat
•	Smoked Seafood: BothCrab And Shrimp
•	Try Ordering Fresh Seafood Online
•	Smoked Seafood: A Light Yet Delicious Meal
•	Gourmet Seafood Is A Great Gift!
•	How To Fish
•	What is Organic Fish?
•	Catfish Preparation Beyond The Frying Pan
•	How To Cook Salmon In The Oven And Have It Taste Great
•	Facts About Smoked Salmon
•	Fresh Smoke Salmon Makes A Great Snack
•	Atlantic Smoked Salmon Gift Baskets
•	For Healthy Meals, Choose Wild American Shrimp
•	Risotto With Shrimps - Two Delicious Variations
•	Quick And Easy Removal With The Crabappeal
•	"Try Octopus ""a la mugardesa"""
	» More on Cooking Seafood

FoodEditorials Cooking Guide offers insightful Cooking Tips & Recipes for aspiring chefs who would like to try new Barbeque Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Seafood Recipes & Meat Recipes for main courses; or Salad Recipes and Soup Recipes for appetisers. Also, learn more on the best Cooking Appliances to cook delicious meals and how Herbs & Spices can liven up Festive Recipes.

Need faster Access? Try our Local Hosting Sites

Asia : Singapore - Malaysia - Indonesia | America : USA