Mussels from Spain taken off sale in France following gastroenteritis claims

SPANISH mussels have been withdrawn from sale in France after an outbreak of food poisoning.

Affected consumers have reported suffering mild fever, headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the shellfish, which was imported from Spain's north-western region of Galicia.

French authorities have recommended that all consumers who have bought mussels from any store or market on or after March 25 return these to the point of sale and claim a refund.

The food poisoning symptoms tend to disappear within two to 18 hours after eating the mussels, but are unpleasant while they last, says France's ministries of agriculture and health.

As yet, Spanish authorities have not commented on the issue.