DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mussels, known locally as Tahong in Davao City is safe for human consumption, the City Veterinarians Office declared.
The announcement came amidst the advisory issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Davao Region (BFAR-XI) due to the reported ‘Red Tide toxins’ found in two areas in the region.
Dr. Clarity Tellano told media during Tuesday’s press conference that the public is safe to consume mussels from the market in Bankerohan as these are not affected by the red tide toxins alerted by BFAR.
“Our Tahong products in the Bankerohan market is very safe to eat since it is red tide free,” said Tellano.
Monthly, Bankerohan market sells 6,000 to 10,000 kilos of Tahong. The supplies usually come from the areas of Jiabong, Samar. Bankerohan market is the drop-off center of mussels in the city before distribution to retailers and resellers.
Dr. Tellano also told reporters that mussel supplies at the market in Bankerohan have permits from its source of origin.
Earlier this month, Raul C. Millana, chief of BFAR-11’s Fisheries Production and Support Services Division (FPSSD) announced to the media that two areas in Davao Region, namely the Santa Maria, Davao Occidental, and Balete Bay in Mati City, Davao Oriental have discovered high samples of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) levels.
The agency already conducted a weekly red tide monitoring activities to update the consumers on the red tide that occurs when there is a large concentration of aquatic microorganisms called “dinoflagellates and the bloom takes on a red or brown color.” (davaotoday.com)
