Badly Chilled Tuna Loin Makes Vessel Crew Sick ff

Source: Grimbsy

Food hygiene experts have intercepted and destroyed 90kg of tuna loin after a shipment was linked to four cases of poisoning.

The officers from North East Lincolnshire Council acted after receiving a report that crew members of a vessel leaving Immingham had developed symptoms similar to those of histamine poisoning, which can occur if tuna is not kept at the appropriate temperature.



Contamination: An example of what frozen tuna loin looks like. It is likely that the tuna in this case was not kept at appropriate temperatures for the entire length of its journey.

A consignment of frozen tuna loin stored at Immingham was identified as being the probable cause.

It had originated from Vietnam and was passing through the area to be supplied to the shipping industry.

Further analysis of the consignment revealed that histamine levels were above the legal limits.

The symptoms of such poisoning resemble those of an allergic reaction, including nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, itching, oral burning, red rash, flushing and hypotension.

Symptoms usually appear within two hours of ingestion and subside within 16 hours.

The crew, who are no longer in the area, are now said to be fit and well.

Julie Moody, principal environmental health officer at NELC, said: “Tuna is particularly susceptible to histamine contamination if it is not handled and stored appropriately – that’s why we would strongly urge people to remember to keep fresh tuna chilled and to eat it before the use-by date.”

“It is likely that the tuna in this case was not kept at appropriate temperatures for the entire length of its journey, allowing the histamine to accumulate.”

“It would be difficult to ascertain at this stage where along the chain the temperature was not controlled properly, but we have acted to ensure that no one else is affected.”

“In these cases we see to it that the product is properly destroyed, so that there is no chance it can somehow re-enter the food chain.”

Councilor David Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighborhoods, added: “Even though the tuna was not destined for shops in North East Lincolnshire, this is very important work by the food health team.”

“I am sure that, because of their swift action in removing the tuna from the food chain, they will have prevented numerous further cases of food poisoning.”