Buckhead Meat Company voluntarily recalled certain tuna items on July 24 for risk of scombrotoxin, a type of food poisoning
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NEED TO KNOW
- Buckhead Meat Company recalled over 330 pounds of tuna due to potential scombrotoxin food poisoning risk
- The recall affects tuna distributed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey
- Scombroid poisoning symptoms include allergic reaction effects and typically resolve within hours
A tuna recall has been classified at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) second-highest warning level.
Buckhead Meat Company, a New Jersey company doing business as Trinity Seafood, voluntarily recalled certain tuna items on July 24 for risk of scombrotoxin, a type of food poisoning. The FDA classified the recall as Class II on Sept. 16, according to an enforcement report.
A Class II recall indicates that “use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” or that there is a “remote” probability of “serious adverse health consequences,” per the FDA’s website.
Buckhead Meat Company voluntarily recalled a total of 332.9 pounds of its Buckhead tuna in 10 lb., 12 lb., 15 lb. and 3-5 lb. cases, per the enforcement report.
The affected items were distributed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
The recalled items have the code 0004255 with the following value-added tax (VAT) numbers: 59-01915, 58-11212, 59-01914, 58-11210, 58-11213, 59-01930, 59-01570, 58-11210 and 59-0.
Credit: Getty
Per the report, the recall was initiated because “the Firm was notified by NJ Department of Health of two samples collected from tuna with reported high levels of scombrotoxin.”
According to the FDA, scombroid poisoning is a “unique form of food poisoning” caused by consuming certain fish species that “have experienced partial bacterial spoilage.”
“The suspect toxin is an elevated level of histamine generated by bacterial degradation of substances in the muscle protein,” the agency said. “This natural spoilage process is thought to release additional by-products which potentiate the toxic effect.”
The agency said “potential scombrotoxic fish” should receive special care in processing to prevent bacterial spoilage, like proper icing or refrigeration after being caught.
Per the agency, symptoms of the food poisoning are rapid in onset, typically between minutes to two hours after consuming affected items, and usually last between four to six hours.
The initial symptoms mirror an allergic reaction, such as facial flushing and sweating, burning sensations in the mouth and throat, dizziness and nausea, while later symptoms can include facial rash, hives, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, the agency said.
The FDA added that severe cases of scombroid poisoning can lead to blurred vision and respiratory stress.
The agency said the type of food poisoning is typically not severe or long-term but can be hard to differentiate from other types of food poisoning or allergies. It advised consumers who suspect they have scombroid poisoning to consult a physician and other public health or food safety regulatory professionals.
It is unclear whether any cases of scombroid poisoning have occurred from consumption of Buckhead tuna that was affected by the recall and whether products remain on shelves.
PEOPLE has reached out to the FDA and Buckhead Meat Company for comment.
In a separate recent recall, a frozen pasta sold at Walmart was recalled on Sept. 15 for potential Listeria contamination.
Gias Foods of New York recalled two lots of Bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine, per a company announcement shared by the FDA.
The affected frozen items, sold nationwide at Walmart, have expiration dates of Sept. 19 or Sept. 20, per the announcement.
The company said the contamination was uncovered in routine sampling by certain state agriculture departments and that it has ceased distribution of the item as the agency investigates the cause.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the pasta.
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