As part of the European Rapid Alert system on food safety Italy notified the presence of carbon monoxide treatment of defrosted tuna from the Netherlands. This was discovered during an official market. The product’s expiry date had already expired and the lot was to be withdrawn from the market. The EU does not allow the use of CO or clearsmoke treatment on fresh – frozen or canned tuna.
Italy alerted yet another discrepancy last month. It concerned the finding of high levels of mercury (1.3 mg/kg – ppm) in chilled red tuna (Thunnus thynnus) originating from Spain. Also in this case, the discovery was made during an official control on the market, however distribution was made possible.
Also frozen tuna steaks coming originating from Vietnam and dispatched from Thailand to Germany contained high levels of histamine and were therefore rejected at the German border. The product is to be re-dispatched.
