Scombrotoxin (scombroid) poisoning is caused by

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Scombrotoxin (scombroid) poisoning is caused by

Histamine buildup in spoiled fish triggers this illness. When fatty fish aren’t kept cold after catching, bacteria convert histidine in the fish muscle into histamine. This histamine is heat-stable, so cooking doesn’t remove it, and people can become ill soon after eating the fish, with symptoms like flushing, headache, abdominal cramps, and a peppery taste in the mouth. Prevention hinges on proper time-temperature control from catch to consumption, including prompt chilling and cold storage. It’s not caused by a bacterial toxin from spoiled dairy products, nor by a paralytic toxin from shellfish, nor by a plant toxin in contaminated water.

Histamine buildup in spoiled fish triggers this illness. When fatty fish aren’t kept cold after catching, bacteria convert histidine in the fish muscle into histamine. This histamine is heat-stable, so cooking doesn’t remove it, and people can become ill soon after eating the fish, with symptoms like flushing, headache, abdominal cramps, and a peppery taste in the mouth. Prevention hinges on proper time-temperature control from catch to consumption, including prompt chilling and cold storage.

It’s not caused by a bacterial toxin from spoiled dairy products, nor by a paralytic toxin from shellfish, nor by a plant toxin in contaminated water.

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