FDA names 8 importers that might have sold poisonous fish — 4 are from South Florida

Fish importers from Miami, Davie and Medley are among eight importers named by the FDA Thursday as possibly bringing in fish that’s causing scombrotoxin fish poisoning.

“FDA has determined that recalls of yellowfin tuna supplied by Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD have not effectively removed potentially harmful products from the market,” Thursday’s FDA statement read. “These firms are being named to effectuate the removal of product from the market due to the reporting of additional illnesses linked to product from Truong Phu Xanh.”

The South Florida companies named: Miami’s Aquabest Seafood; Mical Seafood from Davie; and Medley companies Gamma Seafood and Alfa International Seafood. Companies from elsewhere: Northern Fisheries of Rhode Island; Worldwide Seafood Products of New Jersey; California companies J. DeLuca Fish Company (San Pedro) and Sym-Pac International (Corona).

All steps in the food supply chain from importers to retailers are being asked to make sure their yellowfin tuna wasn’t produced in 2019 by Truong Phu Xanh. Consumers are asked to ask restaurants and retailers the source of their yellowfin tuna.

“Restaurants and retailers should contact their suppliers to confirm the source of their yellowfin tuna because not all product was distributed in packaging that identifies Truong Phu Xanh,” the FDA said.

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Kroger named Alfa International as the supplier in its September recall that followed the FDA learning of “multiple scombroid poisoning cases” that traced to Kroger-sold tuna steaks.

In November, the FDA said it found 47 cases of scombrotoxin fish poisoning between Aug. 8 and Oct. 15.

“Scombrotoxin fish poisoning occurs when fish is not properly chilled or preserved and begins to spoil, resulting in increased histamine levels,” the FDA said.

The difference between this and many other foodborne illnesses is, as the FDA notes, “Histamine cannot be destroyed by freezing or cooking.”

Symptoms hit quickly, inside of an hour, compared to other foodborne illnesses. Headache, itching, cramps, diarrhea and blurry vision are common. Even without antihistamine treatment, the suffering usually doesn’t last beyond 12 hours.