A MONTH after suspected conch poisoning cases were first reported, Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) officials said investigations are ongoing and noted the advice is still to avoid raw conch.

Dr Patricia Johnson, BAHFSA’s director for food, safety and quality, along with Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) officials, visited Potter’s Cay Dock yesterday to hold a training session for food vendors on how to prevent the contamination of conch. The training covered topics such as food safety and hygiene as well as sanitation and consequences for non-compliance.

Last month, BAHFSA said it was aware of suspected conch poisoning cases. It cautioned consumers to avoid eating fresh conch at this time or conch that they suspect was not properly handled and/or prepared until the source of the contamination can be determined.

Asked by The Tribune if it was safe to eat conch yet, Dr Johnson answered: “The investigation is still ongoing and so I would still caution persons to avoid conch especially persons who have compromised immune systems at this time. BAHFSA will announce when this investigation has ended and it’s closed and it’s safe to consume raw conch but the advice is to avoid raw conch.”

However people can still consume conch if it is properly cooked.

The number of cases of suspected conch poisoning is unclear as Nurse Joanna Chambers said many who experience the illness do not report to a health care centre.

“That creates a problem for us and our data collection,” Nurse Chambers said.

Meanwhile, officials will be inspecting conch stalls to help vendors maintain compliance with food safety protocols.

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