National Health Advisory - Notification of Outbreak of Histamine (Scombroid) Fish Poisoning 13 Nov 2020

HelloFresh initiated a consumer level recall on 09 November of trevally fish fillets following reports by customers of symptoms of histamine or scombroid poisoning.

HelloFresh initiated a consumer level recall on 09 November of trevally fish fillets following reports by customers of symptoms of histamine or scombroid poisoning. Details are on MPI website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-recalls/recalled-food-products/hellofresh-brand-trevally-fillets/

As at 1500 hours 11 November 2020, 21 cases of histamine (scombroid) poisoning have been reported to EpiSurv from the following DHBs: Capital and Coast (9), Waikato, Hutt Valley (5 each) and MidCentral (2). More cases are possible, including in other DHBs given the nationwide distribution of HelloFresh.  

Symptoms of scombroid fish poisoning begin within 30 minutes to an hour or two of consuming the fish, and include a feeling of warmth and flushing, a hot and itchy rash on the face, neck, chest, and upper back, as well as burning feeling in the mouth and throat, headache, palpitations, dizziness, sweating, difficulty breathing and gastro-intestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, collapse due to low blood pressure may occur.

If you see any case with symptoms of scombroid fish poisoning, please report it to the local Medical Officer of Health.