Major Seafood Toxins Flashcards
Histamine
Illness: scombroid poisoning
can occur when levels of histamine in scombroid and other species of fish are eaten; when the fish are time-temp abused bacteria on the fish make the toxin
cannot be destroyed by freeezing, cooking, smoking or curing
Histamine
linked foods
- tuna
- bonito
- mackerel
- mahimahi
Histamine
symptoms
Initially
* reddening of the face and neck
* sweating
* headache
* burning or tingling sensation in the mouth or throat
possibly later
* diarrhea
* vomiting
Histamine
prevention
purchasing from approved, reputable suppliers
prevent time-temp abuse during storage and prepping
Ciguatoxin
illness: Ciguatera fish poisoning
aka fish poisoning
found in some marine algae; toxin builds up in certain fish when they eat smaller fish that have eaten the toxic algae
cannot be detected by smell or taste
not eliminated by cooking or freezing the fish
Ciguatoxin
linked foods
- barracuda
- grouper
- jacks
- snapper
Ciguatoxin
symptoms
- reversal of hot and cold sensations
- nausea
- vomiting
- tingling in fingers, lips or toes
- joint and muscle pain
symptoms can last for months or yrs depending on severity of illness
Ciguatoxin
prevention
purchase predatory tropical reef fish from approved, reputable suppliers
Saxitoxin
illness: paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)
some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water
cannot be detected by smell or taste
not eliminated by cooking or freezing
death from paralysis may result if high levels of toxin are eaten
Saxitoxin
linked foods
- clams
- mussels
- oysters
- scallops
Saxitoxin
symptoms
- numbness
- tingling of the mouth, face, arms and legs
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Saxitoxin
prevention
purchase shellfish from approved, reputable suppliers
Brevetoxin
illness: neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP)
some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water
cannot be detected by smell or taste
not eliminated by cooking or freezing
Brevetoxin
linked foods
- clams
- mussels
- oysters
Brevetoxin
symptoms
- tingling and numbness of lips, tongue and throat
- dizziness
- reversal of hot and cold sensations
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Brevetoxin
prevention
purchase shellfish from approved, reputable suppliers
Domoic acid
illness: Amnesiac shellfish poisoning (ASP)
some types of shellfish can become contaminated as they filter toxic algae from the water
cannot be detected by smell or taste
not eliminated by cooking or freezing
Domoic acid
linked foods
- clams
- mussels
- oysters
- scallops
Domoic acid
symptoms
Initially
* vomitting
* diarrhea
* abdominal pain
Possibly later
* confusion
* memory loss
* disorientation
* seizure
* coma
severity of symptoms depends on amount of toxin eaten & health of person
Domoic acid
prevention
