Shellfish biotoxin alert for Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Hawke Bay.
What you need to know:
- Hawke Bay locals are advised by New Zealand Food Safety not to collect/consume shellfish gathered from Hawke Bay due to the presence of toxins.
- Routine tests on mussels from Pania Reef in Napier have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit.
- The warning extends from Cape Kidnappers, north to Mohaka River.
- Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxins.
- Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.
- Products sold in supermarkets and shops will not be of risk.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:
numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
difficulty swallowing or breathing
dizziness and headache
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea
paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.
If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued:
- Phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately.
- Contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Facebook Marketplace Scams
Police are urging members of the public to be aware of Facebook Marketplace scams, in particular tiny home, shipping container and portable cabin home scams targeting Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern Police District.
Multiple people have seen the different listings and either paid deposits or the full price into various bank accounts.
Once the victim transfers money, the scammer deletes the listing, all the messages and blocks them.
In one case a victim has lost $10,000, with further victims losing in the thousands.
In many of these cases the offenders are based overseas and our ability to recover the funds transferred is limited.
“We are urging members of the community to think twice before transferring money for items on Facebook and other social media platforms.” says Senior Constable Gillon.
Anyone who has been affected by this scam is encouraged to contact Police online or via 105.
Senior Constable Gillon says if you decide to purchase off social media, we encourage you to take precautions to protect yourself.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
💸 Insist on meeting to conduct transactions and examine the item before completing the transaction.
💸 Meet in a public place and take a friend. DO NOT go into someone’s house or allow them into yours.
💸 DO NOT deposit money into another person’s account before you have received the item.
💸 Learning more about the person you are buying from or selling to.
💸 You can tap on a person's profile on the product listing page to see if you have any friends in common, their marketplace activity, and any ratings they may have received.
💸 Ensure friends and family, especially anyone vulnerable, understand what to do to protect themselves.
💸 Be the person to provide that ongoing support and advice.
💸 Trust your instincts – if it’s too good to be true or sounds like a scam, it probably is.
If you believe you are or have been a victim of fraud, contact Police at www.police.govt.nz..., or call Police on 105 and report the matter. If you have handed over your bank details, contact your bank and immediately suspend your account.
Disaster Welfare and Support Team - Hastings
We are looking for highly committed, multi-skilled volunteers for our Disaster Welfare and Support Team in Hastings. Team trains regularly in St Leonard.
For more information, please contact hastings@redcross.org.nz
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