ANGLE,
LONG TIME NO SEE SINCE OUR "RED TIDE" DISCUSSIONS WAY BACK IN 95 IN PUERTO
AYSEN, CHILE, WHEN I WAS WORKING WITH FRIOSUR.
I AM STILL WORKING A BIT BUT MOSTLY IN TUNA. I WAS IN MAURITIUS THIS PAST
SEPTEMBER ON A FACT FINDING STUDY FOR COTECNA REGARDING THE TRANSHIPMENT OF TUNA
INTO THE EU FROM MAURITIUS.
WHEN IS SOMEBODY REALLY GOING TO ADDRESS THE HISTAMINE PROBLEM FROM AN
ONBOARD STANDPOINT? ESPECIALLY IN THE EQUATPRIAL ZONES? BY THE TIME THE TRANSHIPMENT
FREEZER CARGO SHIPS GET TO MAURITIUS OR OTHER "TESTING" PORTS THE CARGOS ARE
SO MIXED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ACCURATE TESTING BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO
TAKE A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE.
I HAVE AN ONBOARD MONITORING SYSTEM THAT COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT IT IS
LIKE RED TIDE IN AYSEN & CHILOE BEFORE IT WAS DISCOPVERRED. WILL IT TAKE A FEW
MORE UNSUSPECTING CONSUMERS AND RETAILLERS TO GET SICK BEFORE INDUSTRY
RESPONDS. MUCH THE SAME IS IT DID WITH THE MAREA ROJA PROBLEM IN CHILE?
WHAT CAN BE DONE ANGLE TO WORK WITH THIS PROBLEM WHERE IT SHOULD BE
ADDRESSED...AT IT'S SOURCE. ONBOARD THE CATCHER VESSELS?
PAUL DION
PAUL DION ASSOCIATES.
INC.
PLYMOUTH, MA
USA
PDIONPDA@AOL.COM
In a message dated 5/31/2005 3:28:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
cetifish@verizon.net writes:
> Subj: Re: Inquiry on canned tuna quality
> Date: 5/31/2005 3:28:08 PM Eastern Standard Time
> From: cetifish@verizon.net
> To: isk025@student.uit.no, seafood@ucdavis.edu
> Sent from the Internet
>
>
>
>
> Whenever an FDA inspector at the port of entry sample for canned tuna
> this is send to the laboratory for decomposition and histamine analysis.
> If the product is found to be decomposed or with histamine levels then
> this entry is detained under Import Alert 16-105. The FDA import alert
> 16-105 for canned tuna states that canned tuna is subject to refusal of
> admission in the United States because after sampling and testing it
> appears to bear or contain histamine, a poisonous and deleterious
> substance in such quantity as ordinarily renders it injurious to health.
> This is considered adulteration, under Section 402(a)(1)] of the Food
> Drug and Cosmetic Act.
>
> There are other ways FDA may find out canned tuna could have histamine
> this is through a consumer complaint. The complainant had a reaction due
> to consumption of the product analysis test positive for histamine. FDA
> probably will perform examination of future entries and if histamine is
> found then the product is detained.
>
> The manufacturing firm must have a HACCP plan that has a Critical
> Control Point that prevents histamine formation during receiving and
> process. Chapter 7 of the Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and
> Controls Guide, Third Edition, states that scombrotoxin formation is a
> the result of time/tempera abuse of certain species of fish that can
> cause consumer illness.
>
> In addition to sampling canned tuna for histamine analysis the FDA can
> detain canned product found injurious to health based on any of the
> following:
> a) The manufacturing firm failed to register under 21 CFR 108 for all
> manufacturer that process low acid canned food products thermally
> process under 21 CFR 113 or acidified food 21 CFR 114.
> b) FDA field examination at port of entry detected that cans were
> abnormal with defects such as swelling, springer, flippers, seam defects
> that are critical that may result in the loss of the hermetic seal.
> c) The manufacturing firm is under detention because is under Import
> Alert 99-04, Detention Without Physical Examination of Manufacturer for
> Low Acid Canned Food and Acidified products because the firm failed to
> respond to verify information, failure to verify process, inadequate pH,
> inadequate process.
> d) Field examination detected that cans were mislabeled such as foreign
> language, no information country of origin,
> e) Failure by the manufacturer register under the Bioterrorism Act
> f) Failure to submit prior notice at the port of entry.
>
> Hope this answer and provide you guidance.
>
> Angel M. Suarez,
> Registered Sanitarian
> Ceti
> 7865 Thor Drive
> Annandale, VA 22003-1437
> Tel/FAX 703-560-4499
> E-mail: cetifish@verizon.net
>
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