Final answer:
The correct statement is that shellfish-associated toxins are related to eating contaminated shellfish and are not transmissible between individuals, as these illnesses are caused by toxins rather than contagious bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that accurately characterizes shellfish-associated toxins in the context of non-transmissible diseases is: Shellfish-associated toxins are linked to the consumption of contaminated shellfish and are non-transmissible between individuals. These toxins, often originating from harmful algal blooms like red tides, can cause foodborne illnesses when people consume contaminated shellfish. The illness is caused by toxins that have accumulated in the shellfish, not by a bacterial infection, and importantly, these illnesses are not contagious and cannot be spread through direct person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets.