Food recalls are sometimes prompted by the suspicion of the presence, or detection, of Histamine. If the molecule is harmless at low concentration, it can cause food poisoning comparable to an allergy if it is abundantly present in a product. It is found in all fish at normally low levels which increase at room temperature.
The allergy caused by Histamine resolves spontaneously in most cases. However, it can progress to a form requiring hospitalization. The first symptoms appear 30 minutes after the meal. Symptoms are hives, redness of the skin, headache, itching and vomiting. People with an allergic background are particularly affected because they may also have acute respiratory problems.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, etc.): immediately call 15 or 112 or 114 for the deaf and hard of hearing.
As Histamine is a temperature-sensitive bacteria, attention must therefore be paid to the cold chain of seafood products. To avoid bacterial proliferation, it is essential to put the fish quickly in the refrigerator or freeze it, do not leave it at room temperature and never refreeze thawed fish.
Some of the products recalled since Thursday, April 6, 2023 have an abnormally high concentration of Histamine. Find out in our slideshow which products are being recalled and where to return them.