Food Recall - Fresh Smoked Kahawai
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is warning consumers who bought fresh smoked Kahawai fish from several
supermarkets and one fish retailer between 2 and 9 December not to eat it because it may cause illness.
The Kahawai, supplied by Seamart in Auckland, has been linked to 21 suspected cases of scombroid histamine food
poisoning in the top half of the North Island. The fish has been sold at Seamart at the Viaduct Basin and Foodtown,
Countdown, Woolworths, 3 Guys and Big Fresh supermarkets throughout New Zealand. It is sold as unpackaged fresh fish.
The company will be advertising the recall tomorrow.
Histamine poisoning occurs when fish from the scombroid group – kahawai, mackerel, tuna, bonito and butterfly kingfish -
have not been chilled adequately between harvest and consumption allowing bacteria to act on the fish producing
histamine which can be toxic to humans. Freezing or cooking the fish once it has been contaminated will not kill the
toxin and prevent illness.
The symptoms of histamine poisoning include a skin rash, localised skin irritation especially around the mouth, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, headache, tingling, flushing and possibly respiratory
distress. The most common symptoms are flushing of the face and neck which can be hot and uncomfortable and diarrhoea.
There are rarely any long term effects. Symptoms can last from a few hours to a few days.
The NZFSA is advising people who may have eaten fish bought from the supermarkets listed to consult a doctor if they are
concerned.
Consumers can return the fish to the to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact Seamart direct on 027 279
8118.