If you like to eat the mussels, clams, or oysters you find on the beach. DON'T!! California health officials say they can make you sick.
From now through October, experts advise against eating mussels or other shellfish found on the beach due to the potential for high concentrations of various toxins found to be harmful to humans.
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"The symptoms really depend on how much of the Toxin is consumed," Dr. Jemma Alarcon with L.A. County Department of Public Health tells KNX News' Karen Adams. "So if it's a lower amount, you might just experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea."
However, if you ingest a significant amount, Dr. Alarcon said, you can experience loss of balance, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and in some cases, even death can occur.
She warns that cooking will not remove the toxins, but shellfish lovers need not fear because the advisory doesn't apply to commercial shellfish sold in stores.
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