45 Tons Of “Illegally Treated” Tuna Seized in Spain
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] - August 14, 2018
Spain is cracking down on fraudulent food. Food Navigator reports that Spanish authorities, who have been working alongside Europol and Interpol, seized 45 tons of tuna that was “illegally treated.”
According to the report, the fish in question were frozen and “only suitable for canning.” However, the fish were treated with an unknown substance that enhanced their color, and then sold as “fresh fish.” While the substance that the fish were treated with has not been identified, it’s likely carbon monoxide, which prevents meat and seafood from discoloring with age. While fish treated with CO is legal in the United Sates, it’s illegal in the European Union.
“This can represent a serious risk to public health, taking into account that the modification of the initial color can mask spoilage allowing the development of biological amines (histamine) responsible for the so called scombroid syndrome in humans,” Spanish authorities said in a statement regarding the tuna seizure.
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