Two kinds of canned sardines found with high levels of histamine

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (May 24) urged the public not to consume two kinds of canned sardines, which might contain high levels of histamine, to prevent histamine poisoning. The trade should also stop selling the products concerned.

Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: TOUS LES JOURS PC SARDINES TOMATE
Place of origin: Morocco
Best before date: January 20, 2015
Packing size: 120 grams x 3
Batch number: BJL 020F

(2) Product name: TOUS LES JOURS SARDINES IN OIL
Place of origin: Morocco
Best before date: January 19, 2017
Packing size: 120 grams x 3
Batch number: BJL 019F

"The CFS received notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that two kinds of canned sardines imported from Morocco were found to contain high levels of histamine by the French authorities. The highest levels detected were 282 parts per million (ppm) and 1,200 ppm respectively. The affected batches of the products were imported to Hong Kong by PARKnSHOP in mid-April," a CFS spokesman said.

The chain store has been asked to stop selling the products concerned. The CFS was informed that the company had set up a hotline at 2606 8658 to answer consumers' enquiries about the affected products.

The spokesman advised consumers who had bought the affected batches of the products not to consume them. The trade should also stop selling them. So far the CFS has not received any reports of persons feeling unwell after consumption or complaints about the affected products.

"Histamine is commonly found in fish of the Scombridae family, such as tuna, sardine and mackerel, as a result of bacterial spoilage. Formation of histamine in fish is usually related to improper control of temperature during storage. It cannot be broken down or removed by cooking.

"Consumption of fish containing high levels of histamine may result in histamine poisoning, causing a burning sensation around the mouth, facial flushing, sweating, nausea and headache. But these symptoms will usually disappear in 12 hours," he said.
The trade has been alerted to the incident. The CFS will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up action, the spokesman added.

Ends/Thursday, May 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:35