Latest news with #toxin
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Warning that Bay of Plenty shellfish may be toxic
Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, says the New Zealand Food Safety. File photo. Photo: 123rf Bay of Plenty shellfish may be poisonous and should not be eaten, according to New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) The public are advised not to collect or consume shellfish on the east coast from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui due to the presence of toxins. NZFS spokesperson Vincent Arbuckle said routine tests on shellfish showed unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin, which can affect common shellfish like mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat's eyes), Cook's turban. "Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick," he said. He warned that cooking the shellfish did not remove the toxin. It is believed the toxin came from an algal bloom which was spreading in the region. "This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get," said Arbuckle. Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within three hours of eating, but could occur as quickly as 10 minutes after consuming the toxin. Signs of poisoning may include numbness and a prickly feeling around the mouth, face, hands, and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, or in severe cases paralysis, respiratory failure, or death. Pāua, crab, 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. Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking. NZFS said it had not received any notifications of associated illness. "NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation," said Arbuckle. Anyone who became ill after eating shellfish from the coast should seek medical attention immediately and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
FDA issues urgent recall for fruit contaminated with toxin linked to autism and cancer
An urgent recall has been issued for a fruit product contaminated with a toxin linked to autism. New York-based W.W. Industrial Group, which is a manufacturer and exporter of canned goods, has recalled its Parashore Pear Slices in juice in 15 oz cans, because they have the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead and cadmium. The product was distributed to Grocery Outlet stores in multiple states across the US. Although it is unclear how the product became contaminated, canned products can contain lead and cadmium due to migration from the can's materials, especially if the coating is damaged or corroded. Some research has linked prolonged exposure to these metals with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and cardiovascular dysfunction. The FDA notes that symptoms of lead and cadmium poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and a developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of heavy metals that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. Health experts add: 'A child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. 'Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.' Lead can be present in the can's coating or solder, and cadmium can also leach from the can's materials, particularly under acidic conditions or when the packaging is damaged. In the US, the FDA has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children. The recalled pear slices was distributed to grocery stores across the US. No illnesses have been reported in relation to the recall. The recalled product is packaged in a 15oz can and labeled as Parashore Pear Slices in Juice, 15oz (425 g) with the universal product code (UPC) #704817164237. The specific lot found positive for heavy metals was 3700/01172 6122J, with the production date listed as 02/19/2024 and the use by date of 2/19/2027. The heavy metal contamination was discovered by the Maryland Department of Health, which conducts routine food sampling as part of its efforts to ensure food safety and protect public health. Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms but even low levels of the metal in their blood can lead to learning and behavior problems, such as trouble paying attention. Numerous studies have shown that children with ASD exhibit these, as well as other, behaviors. Additionally, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues. Studies have shown that lead exposure either through paint, dust or food can increase risk of lung, kidney and brain cancer in those exposed - particularly workers. Following the discovery, W.W. Industrial Group has recalled the products and is continuing an investigation to determine the cause. Consumers who have purchased the pear slices should not consume the products and are urged to discard in the trash or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 516-676-9188 Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm EST.
ABC News
07-07-2025
- ABC News
See the evidence used to convict Erin Patterson in the mushroom murder trial
The jury in Erin Patterson's trial sat through weeks of evidence before convicting her of murder. On Monday, Patterson was found guilty of the murders of her parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Heather's husband Ian. Here's some of the key pieces of evidence shown to the jury during the trial. During the trial, the jury heard Erin Patterson explain in detail how she prepared individually wrapped beef Wellingtons for the lunch at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023. Patterson explained to the jury that she modified a recipe from Australian author Nagi Maehashi's cookbook RecipeTin Eats Dinner to create the meal. She said she swapped the traditional log of meat for individual parcels, due to a lack of availability of eye fillet at her local Woolworths. The court heard how she individually wrapped the separate Wellingtons to ensure not every portion was laced with deadly poison. Two days after the lunch, Patterson told police where they could find leftovers of the meal at her home and they were fished out of the bin. The leftovers, which included bits of pastry and mushrooms, were analysed by multiple experts. While visual inspections did not reveal visible traces of death cap mushrooms, a chemical analysis showed the presence of the Beta-amanitin toxin, which is present in death cap mushrooms Patterson told the court the leftovers comprised mushroom paste and pastry that she had scraped off the Wellingtons before serving the meat to her children the day after the lunch. Prosecutors said that was a lie, and her children never ate leftover meat from the contaminated meal. Images showing death cap mushrooms on a scale were extracted from Erin Patterson's tablet device. They were shown to several people during the trial, including fungi expert Tom May who, with a "high level of confidence", identified them as being death cap mushrooms. During cross-examination, prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC said the photos had been taken by Patterson and showed her weighing death cap mushrooms she'd picked from Loch a few weeks before the lunch, after seeing the toxic species flagged on the citizen science website iNaturalist: Dr Rogers: I suggest that you were weighing these mushrooms, these death cap mushrooms, so that you could calculate the weight required for the administration of a fatal dose for one person, agree or disagree? Patterson: Disagree. Dr Rogers: And the weight required for five fatal doses, for five people, agree or disagree? Patterson: Disagree. A Sunbeam food dehydrator owned by Erin Patterson became an item of interest early in the trial. The trial heard Patterson bought the appliance for $229 on April 28, 2023. She later admitted to lying to police about owning the item, and to dumping it at the Koonwarra Transfer Station. Police discovered the dehydrator at the tip on August 4, 2023, days after the lunch, and took these photos while also obtaining CCTV. One of Patterson's Facebook friends, Daniela Barkley, also gave police screenshots of a chat they were in together. One of the images shows a message Patterson sent where she told her Facebook friends she'd been blitzing mushrooms so that she could hide them in food to feed her children. Others showed images of a mushrooms in the dehydrator. Erin Patterson's home was the subject of a police search on August 5, 2023. These photos show the dining table and open-plan living space of the Leongatha home where Erin Patterson hosted the lunch. They were shown to Ian Wilkinson as he gave evidence to the trial about the lunch and where guests were sitting. Also present in the kitchen was a copy of the RecipeTin Eats Dinner cookbook. Patterson told the trial she'd only moved into the house about a year before the lunch after overseeing its creation: "I was involved right from the beginning of the design, I suppose. Simon and I were involved through the whole design process, but I drew a design myself first in like, Microsoft Paint and gave that to the building designer and he said, 'that will never work engineering-wise, let's move it around a bit', you know, but it modelled quite closely on how I wanted things sorted out." The images also showed some of the plates in Patterson's kitchen. During the trial, Ian Wilkinson gave evidence that guests were served on white plates, while Erin ate her meal from a small orange plate. Erin Patterson said she had served the meals on a variety of plates — some white, some red and black. A rainbow-striped plate was identified in the trial as one made at kindergarten by Patterson's daughter. The day after the deadly lunch, Erin Patterson took her son to Tyabb for a flying lesson which was cancelled not long before they were due to arrive. During that trip, she made a stop at a service station. CCTV footage shows a red car pulling up at the petrol station and Erin Patterson exiting the car before entering the building. The now convicted triple-murderer is seen walking to a bathroom, and then nine seconds later, walking out. During the trial, Patterson told the jury she went into the toilet to dispose of soiled tissues that she used after she made an emergency roadside stop to relieve herself. She later bought some food, which she said was for her children, before leaving. During the trial, Leongatha Hospital doctor Chris Webster said he had called triple-0 after Erin Patterson left the hospital on Monday morning against medical advice. At the time, he was concerned she had been exposed to a potentially lethal dose of death cap mushroom toxin. But Patterson told the medical staff she could not be admitted for treatment because she needed to sort out the animals at home and pack her daughter's ballet bag. She then left the hospital for roughly 90 minutes, during which she told the court she attended to those matters and then had a lie-down. Prosecutors said this was a lie, and she used the time to fabricate a story about buying mushrooms at an Asian grocer. Dr Webster told the trial said he only made the "serious" decision to call police after three calls to Erin's mobile phone went through to voicemail. "I was apologetic and informed the voicemail that I would have to contact the police for her health and safety and request that they bring her back to hospital," Dr Webster told the trial. Here's how that call went: Throughout the trial, there was plenty of evidence that Erin Patterson's mother-in-law Gail Patterson was attentive and loving. Patterson herself told the court Gail had been an invaluable support for her during her early period of motherhood. Her mother-in-law had also marked out the date of the beef Wellington lunch in her diary. "Lunch at Erin's w Heather + Ian." A jury ultimately found it was a lunch where she was murdered by her daughter-in-law. A hearing is expected to be held in the coming weeks to begin Patterson's sentencing, after which she could attempt to appeal her convictions.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Terrifying map reveals US cities where hidden autism toxin is lurking... is YOUR home in a danger zone?
Americans living in the Midwest are most likely to have a toxin linked to autism hidden in their homes, a study suggests. Researchers combed through census data for 500 cities to calculate the number of homes that still contain lead paint, which was banned in the 1970s for its links to developmental delays and behavior issues in children. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes.
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Scientists discover 'amazing' new fungus species connected to livestock facial eczema
Pithomyces chartarum, whcih looks identical to its newly discovered toxic relative. Photo: Landcare Research / supplied New Zealand scientists studying a complex fungal disease that affects sheep have made a scientific breakthrough. Facial eczema is a disease caused by a toxin produced by a fungus. The fungus grows in humid conditions and hurts sheep livers, making them very sensitive to ultraviolet light and reducing productivity. The disease is estimated to cost farmers and the economy $332 million a year. But new research has revealed there are two species of this fungi in New Zealand pasture, not just one as previously thought. Scientists have named the new fungus species Pseudopithomyces toxicarius - identified as the primary producer of sporidesmin, the toxin produced by spores of the fungus. The new species is in addition to the better-understood non-toxic Pseudopithomyces chartarum. The study's lead author Dr Bevan Weir, senior scientist at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, said the teams extensively studied the organisms, genomes and toxins found in New Zealand pasture and abroad. "It was amazing when we got the first DNA sequencing data and there was just this incredibly clear split showing that there was definitely these two species on pasture," Weir said. "It was a fantastic experience figuring out that we've kind of cracked it, and that in the past there have been reports of non-toxic strains or less toxic ones, and now we know the reason why." He said the discovery followed years of hard work and dedication by research institutes, the agriculture industry and farmers. AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua, Beef and Lamb and the Livestock Improvement Corporation were involved in the study, led by Beef and Lamb. The seven-year project to eliminate the impacts of facial eczema in livestock was valued at $20.75m, and the government assigned $8.3m to it in March last year. Weir said identifying the primary cause of facial eczema was a "critical step forward" in reducing its impact. "The complicated thing is that although these species are really genetically distinct and have very different genes, under the microscope they are completely identical. So you can't tell them apart at all, even under our really good research microscopes. "And this is a problem for assessing facial eczema risk, because at the moment the main method of assessing risk is doing spore counts, and it's still a good method, but some of those spores that the vets and farmers are counting under the microscope will be from the non-toxic species." Weir said the ongoing sheep poo collection work will help them identify where the toxic and non-toxic species were found around New Zealand - but there were generally very little toxic examples found in the South Island, and more in the North Island. AgResearch lead author Christine Voisey said the teams were grateful to the farmers that supported the study by providing samples that were vital to this research. "Working on this project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," she said. "There is still much to learn about the biology of Pseudopithomyces, but this research brings us closer to developing tools that will help mitigate the impacts of facial eczema on New Zealand's farmers." Beef and Lamb general manager of farming excellence Dan Brier said the research gave the sector a clearer foundation for developing more accurate diagnostic tools and effective management practices. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
