Periwinkle is a potential source of good‐quality proteins. It contains most of the essential amino acids in adequate amount for human nutrition. The shellfish is capable of accumulating toxigenic microorganisms as well as toxic heavy metals if harvested from polluted water. Harvesting and processing are still mainly at artisanal levels—for example, in West Africa due to the clumsy methods of harvesting and removal of the meat from the shells. There is need for strict environmental control of the harvest areas and adequate processing of these marine animals in order to ensure safety and wider distribution of the product.