Library / Chemicals & toxins

Histamine (scombroid poisoning)

A chemical that can build up in fish not kept cold, causing illness that resembles an allergic reaction.

MedlinePlus describes scombroid poisoning as illness from eating fish that was not refrigerated properly. Bacteria convert histidine in the fish into histamine.

Symptoms can include flushing, headache, rash, and diarrhea. Cooking does not destroy histamine already formed.

Buy seafood from reputable sources and keep fish refrigerated.

More in this category

← All library topics · How to read recall records