Recall for food fish

Due to possible health risks, the „German sea“ Fischmanufaktur in Bremerhaven a recall for the food fish „Red snapper“ started. In six people, the consumption of fish led to health problems that suggest a so-called ciguatera - a special form of food poisoning - reports the company.

14/11/2012

In view of the symptoms, Deutsche See assumes that the cause of the diseases is the marine algae toxin ciguatoxin, according to the latest release. Due to possible health hazards, the goods were precautionary blocked and taken out of commerce. According to the company, retailers were also informed and instructed to remove the fish immediately from the service counters. In addition, consumers are encouraged not to consume already purchased fish. The delivered Red Snapper was only available as loose goods at the fresh fish counter of the grocery retailer, not as a packaged product, according to Deutsche See.

Red snapper charged with algae toxin
According to the fish manufactory, at the „If the first specific case of suspicion has occurred, inform the competent veterinary authorities immediately“ and take further measures to eliminate potential health risks to consumers. As a trigger of the complaints, the company suspects Ciguatoxin, which is formed by tiny flagellates - so-called dinoflagellates - that live on algae and seaweed in the area of ​​coral reefs. Fish absorb the poison when eating the algae and this then accumulates in the food chain. Larger predatory fish, so-called reef fish, are particularly affected, reports the fish factory Deutsche See. Such strains of fish with ciguatoxin in the Caribbean, the Pacific and to some extent also the Indian Ocean are widespread. The now recalled Red Snapper, according to the company from the Indian Ocean, came from Sri Lanka.

Health risk of fish poisoning
In humans, ciguatoxin causes the so-called ciguatera, the most common form of fish poisoning. This particular type of food poisoning causes symptoms such as numbness of the lips and oral mucosa, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Also itchy rash on hands and feet may occur during the course of the Ciguatera. Muscle tension and general weakness are other possible consequences of poisoning with Ciguatoxin. According to a statement by the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety on Wednesday, there are currently suspected cases of corresponding fish poisoning from Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and Hamburg. (Fp)

Picture credits: I-and-you