Chemical Hazards

Question 1

Types of Chemical Hazards in a Retail Food Establishment

Answer 1

Naturally Occurring:
• Allergens
• Ciguatoxin
• Mycotoxins
• Scombrotoxin
• Shellfish toxins
Man-made Chemicals:
• Cleaning solutions
• Food additives
• Pesticides
• Heavy metals

Question 2

Ciguatoxin

Answer 2

Type of Illness: Fish toxin originating from toxic algae of tropical waters
Symptoms: Vertigo, nausea, hot or cold flashes, diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath
Onset: 30 minutes to 6 hours; usually lasts a few days but death can occur from concentrated dose of toxin
Common Foods: Marine finfish including grouper, barracuda, snapper, jack, mackerel, trigger-fish, reef fish
Prevention: Purchase fish from a reputable supplier, cooking will not inactivate the toxin

Question 3

Scombrotoxin

Answer 3

Type of Illness: Seafood toxin originating from histamine-producing bacteria
Symptoms: Dizziness, burning feeling in the mouth; facial rash or hives; shortness of breath; pepper taste in mouth; headache, itching, teary eyes; runny nose
Onset: Few minutes to 30 minutes; recovery usually occurs in 8 to 12 hours
Common Foods: Tuna, mahi-mahi, bluefish, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, amberjack, abalone, swiss cheese
Prevention: Purchase fish from a reputable supplier; store fish between 32℉ (0℃) and 39℉ (4℃) to prevent growth of histamine-producing bacteria; toxin is not inactivated by cooking

Question 4

Shellfish toxins PSP, DSP, DAP, NSP

Answer 4

Shellfish toxins produced by certain algae called dinoflagellates
Type of Illness: Intoxication
Symptoms: Numbness of lips, tongue, arms, legs, neck; lack of muscle coordination
Onset: 10 to 60 minutes
Common Foods: Contaminated mussels, clams, oysters, scallops
Prevention: Purchase shellfish only from a reputable supplier, avoid buying shellfish harvested by port fishermen or poached from polluted waters

Question 5

Mycotoxins

Answer 5

Causative Agent: Toxic chemicals produced by some types of mold
Type of Illness: Intoxication
Symptoms: Acute symptoms: hemorrhage, acute liver damage and fluid buildup
Chronic onset: cancer from small doses over a long period of time
Onset Acute symptoms can occur within a month, while chronic forms of the disease after years of exposure to low levels of the toxin
Common Foods: Moldy grains, corn, corn products, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, milk produced by cows that have ingested mold with their feed
Prevention: Purchase food from a reputable supplier; keep grains and nuts dry; and protect products from humidity.