Cancer scare prawns recalled

Prawns possibly containing potential cancer-causing drugs are being taken off supermarket shelves in the UK, reports Ananoval.com.

Prawns possibly containing potential cancer-causing drugs are being taken off supermarket shelves in the UK, reports Ananova.com.

Lyons Seafoods, one of the main suppliers of seafood to Britain's supermarkets, is recalling packets of Lyons Freshwater King Prawns and Lyons Premium Quality Raw Freshwater Prawns.

When the prawns were routinely tested by the Food Standards Authority in Northern Ireland, 16 out of 84 samples proved positive for nitrofurans.

Nitrofurans are a class of drugs used to kill micro-organisms, but can have a harmful effect on humans and can damage DNA.

Jim Landry, technical and operations manager for Lyons Seafoods, said he was horrified by the result.

He said: "This is a complete shock to us and we recalled all the products immediately.

"We are working like there is no tomorrow going through the stock lists and going through all the stock to make double sure it is nowhere else."

Nitrofurans are potentially carcinogenic and can damage you genetically, Mr Landry said. Symptoms include dizziness, lethargy, headaches, vomiting, chills, fever and abdominal pain.