Histamine in fish

Introduction

Fish is a popular choice for a healthy and delicious meal, but did you know that it can sometimes contain histamine, a compound that can trigger allergic reactions and other uncomfortable symptoms? In this blog post, we'll dive deep into histamine in fish, its causes, symptoms, and how to minimize the risks associated with histamine poisoning.

What is Histamine?

Histamine is a naturally occurring compound found in various foods and produced within our bodies. It plays a crucial role in our immune response and acts as a neurotransmitter. However, when histamine levels become too high, it can lead to a range of adverse reactions, commonly referred to as histamine intolerance or histamine poisoning.

The Role of Histamine in Fish

Histamine in fish primarily develops due to the decarboxylation of histidine, an amino acid found in fish muscle. This process occurs when certain conditions are met, such as inadequate refrigeration or improper handling of fish. Histamine levels in fish can rise significantly if these conditions are not controlled.

Causes of Histamine Formation

Temperature: Histamine formation is most common in fish that are not properly stored at low temperatures. The ideal temperature for fish storage is below 39°F (4°C).

Time: The longer fish sits at temperatures above 39°F, the higher the histamine levels can become.

Spoilage: Fish that has begun to spoil or decay is more likely to contain elevated histamine levels.

Fish Species: Some fish species are more susceptible to histamine formation than others. Tuna, mackerel, mahi-mahi, and sardines are among the most histamine-prone species.

Symptoms of Histamine Poisoning

Consuming fish with high levels of histamine can lead to histamine poisoning, also known as scombroid fish poisoning. Symptoms typically occur within minutes to hours after eating affected fish and can include:

Skin flushing and itching
Headache
Rapid heart rate
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps

Importance of testing

Reasons for Testing Histamine in Fish	Importance
Food Safety	Prevent histamine poisoning, Avoid health risks for consumers
Consumer Health	Protect the health of consumers, Prevent symptoms and illnesses
Regulatory Compliance	Comply with government regulations, Avoid legal consequences and recalls
Quality Assurance	Ensure fish products meet quality standards, Maintain business reputation
Traceability	Identify the source of contamination, Take corrective actions
Preventing Economic Loss	Avoid financial losses due to recalls and legal liabilities
Educating Stakeholders	Improve industry practices, Promote proper fish handling and storage techniques

Recall incidents

In a recent food safety incident, an updated recall alert has been issued for a range of tuna products. The recall, initiated on February 28, 2020, was prompted by the discovery of elevated levels of histamine, a chemical compound that can pose health risks when consumed in excess.

Market overview

In 2020, the global molecular FISH testing market was valued at USD 609.6 million, with a projected growth to reach USD 978.6 million by 2027. The market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2017 to 2027.

Regulations and standards

The regulations and standards of histamine in fish vary from country to country. However, the following are some of the common limits:

Codex Alimentarius: The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an international organization that sets food safety standards. The Codex Alimentarius sets a maximum level of 200 mg/kg of histamine in fish and fishery products.

European Union: The European Union's (EU) regulation on histamine in fish and fishery products sets a maximum level of 100 mg/kg for fish with a high potential to form histamine (such as tuna, mackerel, and sardines) and 200 mg/kg for fish with a lower potential to form histamine (such as cod and salmon).

United States: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have a specific regulation for histamine in fish, but it does set a guidance level of 50 mg/kg. This means that the FDA recommends that fish with a high potential to form histamine should not have a histamine level greater than 50 mg/kg.

India: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets a maximum level of 100 mg/kg of histamine in fish and fishery products.

Testing methods

Histamine Testing Method	Description
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)	Separates histamine from other compounds using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Accurate and quantitative results are obtained.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)	Uses specific antibodies to detect histamine. Quick and adaptable for high-throughput testing. Commercial ELISA kits are available.
Fluorometric Analysis	Involves the reaction of histamine with a fluorogenic reagent to produce a fluorescent product. Offers good sensitivity and specificity.
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)	Separates compounds based on their movement through a thin layer of adsorbent material. Histamine spots are visualized using specific reagents. Suitable for qualitative analysis.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)	Separates histamine using gas chromatography and identifies it by mass spectrometry. Provides accurate quantification and compound identification.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)	Qualitative and quantitative analysis of histamine. Non-destructive method that doesn't require sample preparation. Less common but provides valuable information.
Colorimetric Methods	Some methods involve histamine's reaction with specific reagents, resulting in a measurable color change. May have lower sensitivity compared to chromatographic techniques.

Eurofins role in testing Histamine in fish

Eurofins is a global leader in providing analytical and testing services across various industries, including food and seafood. In the context of testing histamine in fish, Eurofins plays a significant role by offering comprehensive solutions and expertise:

Histamine Testing Services: Eurofins operates state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with advanced analytical instruments and techniques for histamine testing. They offer a range of testing methods, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ELISA, and more, to accurately detect and quantify histamine levels in fish and seafood products.

Compliance with Regulations: Eurofins helps food producers and distributors ensure that their fish and seafood products comply with regulatory standards and maximum allowable histamine levels. This is crucial for meeting international food safety regulations and avoiding legal and financial consequences.

Quality Assurance: Eurofins provides quality assurance services to ensure that fish and seafood products meet the highest quality standards. This includes verifying that histamine levels are within safe limits, which is essential for maintaining product quality and consumer safety.

Customized Testing Solutions: Eurofins can tailor its testing services to meet the specific needs of clients. Whether it's routine testing, batch testing, or investigative testing in response to contamination concerns, Eurofins offers customized solutions.

Consulting and Advisory Services: Eurofins often provides expert guidance and advisory services to clients in the seafood industry. They can assist with risk assessment, contamination prevention, and regulatory compliance strategies related to histamine and other food safety concerns.

Fast and Accurate Results: Eurofins is known for its efficient testing processes, which provide fast and accurate results. This timeliness is essential for businesses to make informed decisions regarding the safety and quality of their products.

Research and Development: Eurofins invests in research and development to stay at the forefront of analytical testing methods. They continuously improve their capabilities to ensure the reliability and accuracy of their histamine testing services.

Global Presence: Eurofins has a global network of laboratories and experts, allowing them to offer histamine testing services to clients worldwide. This extensive presence ensures that businesses can access their services no matter where they operate.

Eurofins Analytical Services India, located in Bangalore, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive such recognition.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499871/
Kounnoun, A., EL Maadoudi, M., Cacciola, F. et al.Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for the Determination of Histamine in Fish Samples Using Fluorescence Detection with Pre-column Derivatization. Chromatographia 83, 893–901 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10337-020-03909-9
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c00768