Tuna loins recalled over health risksTuna loins recalled over health risks

Alan J. Liddle

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration said Beaver Street Fisheries Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 4,000 pounds of tuna loins because of possible contamination by elevated levels of histamine.

The tuna was distributed to foodservice wholesalers and distributors in Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, the FDA said.

A spokesman for Beaver Street Fisheries said the company acted after a distributor said a customer had reported three incidents of possible histamine scombroid poisoning with symptoms of rash on the face, vomiting, diarrhea and another individual had reported having low blood pressure. He said the company has detailed records of buyers of the recalled product and believes all appropriate parties have been contacted about the recall.

According to the producer, the recalled tuna loins were distributed in 20-pound bulk cartons containing individual vacuumed packed loins weighing five to seven pounds each. It said the cartons bear the lot number 928378 and are marked with a SN# 43910, Best By: 07/06/12, UPC code 10075391967918 and item number 6217408.

Histamines are naturally occurring in people and animals. 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, the FDA said. However it added that individuals may experience symptoms differently.

Click here to see the full FDA release about the tuna recall.

Contact Alan J. Liddle at [email protected].