Re-evaluation of histamine content on raw fish
Hi,
For clarification. We received frozen fish from the vessel and tested the fish for histamine content before cold storing (CP). Upon withdrawal in the cold storage (i.e. no deviations during 3 months storing), do we need to re-test the lot for histamine content during Receiving (CCP) in the plant? If no, can we use the same values during the fish vessel unloading to the Receiving in-plant?
Regards.
Mandark
Hi, Mandark;
No, you do not have to retest. Histamine is formed by spoilage bacteria not associated with sub-freezing storage conditions. Once thawed, the product will have to be monitored again however. Depending on your process and product
May I ask why your vessel receiving is a CP? You are testing for histidine so you obviously have identified a hazard properly and hopefully your HACCP plan concurs.
Here is the USFDA regulation for histamine controls:
(There seems to be a 301 code error with the forums, so I will try and upload the file later...)
Hi Slab,
No idea what a 301 is but the uploader seems to be working now (1800hrs GMT)
Might be at yr end of course :smile:
Hi Slab,
I also inquired with US FDA (Seafood HACCP) and they said, 'If you tested the histamine content in the product when you first received the frozen fish from the harvest vessel and it has been kept
frozen throughout storage, you should not need to re-test the product. You should have recorded the value for the histamine content when you first received the frozen fish from the vessel".
Cold Storing is the CP instead of vessel unloading.
Thanks.
Mandark
Hi Mandark,
I rather agree with Slab over yr CP.
What do you do if the histamine level is too high at reception at yr Cold store ? Send it back to the ship ?
Do the FDA recommend where to test ?
Hi, Charles. Upload seems to be working fine now...
Here is the current regulations in Title 21;
Chapter 7 Scombrotoxin (Histamine) Formation.pdf 2.09MB 13 downloads
By all manner defined in chapter 7, receiving is a CCP. You can (as you already have) test for histamine, or review vessel records for harvest (personally I would review records at a minimum once per year for accepted vessels, and initial approval for new vessels if adopting control strategy 2).
Storing in frozen form would of course be a CP as an interim step in your process.