The Centre for Food Safety warns the public not to eat scallops for the time being. The warning comes as seven of 16 scallop samples taken for tests have been found to contain paralytic shellfish toxin.

The samples were collected at wholesale and retail levels. The stalls have been ordered to stop selling the scallops.

Their source is being investigated and more samples are being taken for testing.

The natural toxin is sometimes found in bi-valve shellfish. It is heat-stable, and so cannot be destroyed through cooking.