Not to Consume two kinds of Canned Sardines which might contain High Levels of Histamine

Issue Date 24.5.2012
Source of Information

European Commission

Food Product

Canned sardines

Product Name and Description

(1) Product name: TOUS LES JOURS PC SARDINES TOMATE
Place of origin: Morocco
Best before date: January 20, 2015
Packing size: 120 grams x 3
Batch number: BJL 020F

(2) Product name: TOUS LES JOURS SARDINES IN OIL
Place of origin: Morocco
Best before date: January 19, 2017
Packing size: 120 grams x 3
Batch number: BJL 019F

Reason For Issuing Alert

Two kinds of canned sardines imported from Morocco were found to contain high levels of histamine by the French authorities. The highest levels detected were 282 parts per million (ppm) and 1,200 ppm respectively. The affected batches of the products were imported to Hong Kong by the PARKnSHOP in mid-April.

Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety

The chain store has been asked to stop selling the concerned products.

The CFS has alerted the trade of the incident and will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate follow-up actions.

Advice to the Trade

Stop selling the concerned products.

Advice to Consumers

Stop consuming the concerned products.

Consumption of fish containing high levels of histamine may result in histamine poisoning, causing burning sensation around the mouth, facial flushing, sweating, nausea and headache. But these symptoms will usually disappear in 12 hours.

Further Information

The CFS press release

The concerned company had set up a hotline at 2606 8658 to answer consumer's enquiries about the affected products.

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2012-5-24

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