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Archive Number 20090706.2427
Published Date 06-JUL-2009
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Scombroid poisoning, tuna - USA: (New England)

SCOMBROID POISONING, TUNA - USA: (NEW ENGLAND)
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Date: 6 Jul 2009
Source: Food and Drug Administration [edited]
<http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm170154.htm>


North Coast Seafood has voluntarily removed from sale Fresh Tuna  
Steaks that were sold at Shaw's, Star Market and Big Y Stores in New  
England.

The recalled product was sold between 20 thru 24 Jun 2009 to retail  
stores throughout New England and was removed from sale on 24 Jun  
2009. The product was recalled because of possible elevated levels of  
histamine that may result in symptoms that generally appear within  
minutes to an hour after eating the affected fish. The following are  
the most common symptoms of scombroid poisoning. However, each  
individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:  
tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, rash on the face and upper  
body, hives and itching of skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. There  
have been 3 reported incidents by consumers.

North Coast Seafood feels that while these were isolated incidents,  
every precautionary measure should be taken when it comes to consumer  
safety. This recall does not impact any other fish or seafood sold by  
Northcoast. Customers who purchased this tuna and may have frozen it,  
are urged to bring the product back to the store for a full refund or  
replacement.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Scombroid fish poisoning occurs after eating fish with high levels of  
accumulated histamine or other biogenic amines. Histamine is produced  
and can accumulate when bacterial enzymes metabolize naturally  
occurring histidine in fish. This most often occurs when fish is held  
at ambient or high temperatures (such as 70 to 90 deg F / 21.1 to 32.2  
deg C) for several hours, but can occur at more moderate temperatures  
(over 45 deg F or over 7.2 deg C). Rapid chilling of fish immediately  
after catch is the most effective measure to prevent scombroid fish  
poisoning. Fish from the family _Scombridae_ (such as tuna and  
mackerel) contain high levels of free histidine in muscle tissue and  
are the commonest sources of scombroid fish poisoning, but other fish  
(such as mahi mahi, amberjack, bluefish, abalone, and sardines) also  
have been implicated.

It should be noted that those taking isoniazid (INH) might have more  
significant reactions because of the drug's histaminase inhibition in  
the GI tract. See: Miki M, Ishiwara T, Okayamai H. An outbreak of  
histamine poisoning after ingestion of the ground saury paste in 8  
patients taking isoniazid in tuberculous ward. Internal Medicine 2005;  
44: 1133-6 (available at
<http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/44/11/1133/_pdf>).
- Mod.LL]

[New England is a region of the northeastern USA comprising Maine, New  
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut -- see  
map at:
<http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/800px-Map_of_USA_highlighting_OCA_New_England_Diocese.png> -  
Mod.JW]

[see also:
Scombroid poisoning, tuna - Viet Nam  20090623.2292
Scombroid poisoning, tuna - UK: (Scotland)  20090417.1461
2008
----
Scombroid poisoning, tuna - UK: (Scotland)  20081208.3852
2007
----
Scombroid poisoning, tuna, 2006 - USA (LA, TN) ex Asia  20070820.2714
2005
----
Scombroid poisoning, frozen fish - Israel: recall  20050610.1619
2002
----
Scombroid poisoning, tuna - USA (PA): suspected  20020827.5166]
.................ll/ejp/jw
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