Tuna and other types of fish that are not refrigerated properly can cause scombroid poisoning, an allergic-like reaction that occurs when people eat partly-spoiled fish.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting scombroid fish poisoning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Tuna Steaks Recalled After Complaint of Scombroid Poisoning
In December 2021, Relish Foods Inc. recalled 10-oz frozen tuna steaks after a consumer complaint resulted in the FDA testing the product, which identified high levels of histamines that can trigger an allergic reaction called scombroid fish poisoning. Click here to read more.
50 Illnesses Linked to Tuna From Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD
In December 2019, the FDA warned that yellowfin tuna supplied by the Vietnamese company Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD was linked to an outbreak of 50 cases of scombroid fish poisoning in 11 states. One person was hospitalized.
From October 2019 through November 2019, illnesses were reported in Delaware (6), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (4), Minnesota (2), New Jersey (2), New York (6), Ohio (11), Pennsylvania (6), Rhode Island (3), Vermont (7) and West Virginia (1).
The following companies imported tuna from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD:
- Mical Seafood Inc. (Davie, FL)
- Northern Fisheries LTD. (Little Compton, RI)
- Alfa International Seafood Inc. (Medley, FL)
- Aquabest Seafood LLC (Miami, FL)
- Gamma Seafood Corporation (Medley, FL)
- J. DeLuca Fish Company, Inc. (San Pedro, CA)
- Sym-Pac International Inc. (Corona, CA)
- Worldwide Seafood Products LLC (Perth Amboy, NJ)
Florida Company Recalls Tuna After 4 Scombroid Illnesses
In October 2019, Mical Seafood Inc. of Florida recalled various tuna products after 4 confirmed cases of scombroid fish poisoning.
The expanded recall involves Tuna Loins, Tuna Poke, Tuna Steaks, Tuna Ground Meat, and Tuna Saku (products of Vietnam) with production dates between 04/01/2019 and 05/31/2019. The tuna was wholesaled to customers in AL, CA, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, PA, RI, TX, UT, VA and WI.
The original recall involves wild-caught yellowfin tuna poke cubes, tuna loins, ground tuna meat, and 6-ounce tuna steaks that were produced between April 2, 2019, and May 14, 2019.
Tuna Recalled After 5 Scombroid Illnesses Reported
Alfa International Seafood has recalled wild-caught yellowfin tuna loins after at least 5 people suffered scombroid fish poisoning. The tuna loins were sold at Baker’s, Dillon’s, Gerbes, JayC Food, Kroger and Payless stores in 16 states from August 20, 2019 through September 7, 2019.
Kroger Recalls Tuna Steaks After Scombroid Outbreak
In September 2019, Kroger announced a recall for wild-caught yellowfin tuna steaks due to an outbreak of scombroid poisoning. The product may have been sold as raw yellowfin tuna steaks at the seafood counter or seasoned in store-prepped Styrofoam trays.
The tuna was sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Click here to read more.
What is Scombroid Poisoning?
Scombroid poisoning is an illness that is caused by eating certain types of fish that are partly spoiled because they were not refrigerated or preserved properly. The allergic-like symptoms are caused by histamine, which is generated by bacteria growing in the fish and decomposing muscle tissue.
What Causes Scombroid?
Certain types of fish can generate toxic histamine levels in less than 6 to 12 hours without ice or refrigeration. Scombroid poisoning generally occurs due to lack of refrigeration for fish in certain species, such as tuna, mackerels, bluefish, dolphinfish or mahi-mahi, and amberjacks.
Early Symptoms of Scombroid Poisoning
The symptoms of scombroid poisoning occur within a few minutes, or up to 2 hours, after eating contaminated fish. The initial symptoms may include:
- Face flushing and sweating
- Burning-peppery taste in the mouth and throat
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Itching
Severe Signs of Scombroid Poisoning
These early symptoms may be quickly followed by more severe symptoms, such as:
- Rash on the face
- Hives
- Swelling
- Heart palpitations
- Short-term diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Blurry vision
- Breathing problems
- Tongue swelling
Treatment & Long-Term Effects
The symptoms of scombroid poisoning usually last for 4 to 6 hours and rarely exceed a day or two. The symptoms can be treated with antihistamine medications. Even without treatment, people usually get better within 12 hours and suffer no long-term effects.
Do I have a Scombroid Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting scombroid fish poisoning induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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