Health Law

Whole Foods Recalls Tuna Due to Histamine Contamination, Potential for Scombroid Poisoning

By David Babcock

The FDA has announced that Whole Foods Market is recalling its frozen "Whole Catch Yellow fin Tuna Steaks" with a best by date of Dec 5th, 2010 because of possible elevated levels of histamine.  The elevated levels histamine may cause symptoms within minutes to an hour after consumption.  

The FDA provided this identifying information on the recalled product:

The product was sold in twelve ounce bags with Best by Date: exp 05 DEC 2010 with Lot Code: 4853309157A and displays the following UPC code:
0-99482-42078-9 Whole Catch Yellow fin Tuna Steaks (Frozen) 12 oz.

The allergic reaction caused by high levels of histamine is referred to as scombroid poisoning.  The FDA states that the most common symptoms of scombroid poisoning are:  "tingling or burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives and itchy skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea." 

So far, two persons who consumed the product have reported such symptoms.  The recalled product was distributed to 28 states plus the District of Columbia including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Connecticut, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Maine and Washington, D.C.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on April 05, 2010 (boomark / email).