Fresh smoked kahawai recall in North Island

5.00pm

People are being warned not to eat smoked kahawai fish bought from several North Island supermarkets and two fish retailers between May 12 and 15.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority said the kahawai, supplied by Seamart in Auckland, had been linked with suspected cases of scombroid histamine food poisoning in the top half of the North Island.

Available as unpackaged fresh fish, the kahawai had been sold at Seamart at the Viaduct Basin, Sea Kai Direct Ltd and Foodtown, Countdown, Woolworths, 3 Guys and Big Fresh supermarkets throughout the North Island, the authority said.

Histamine poisoning occurred when fish from the scombroid group -- kahawai, mackerel, tuna, bonito and butterfly kingfish -- were not chilled adequately between harvest and consumption, allowing bacteria to act on the fish producing histamine which could be toxic to humans.

Freezing or cooking the fish once it has been contaminated would not kill the toxin and prevent illness.

The symptoms of histamine poisoning included a skin rash, localised skin irritation especially around the mouth, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, headache, tingling, flushing and possibly respiratory distress, the authority said.

The most common symptoms were flushing of the face and neck, which could be hot and uncomfortable, and diarrhoea. There were rarely any long term effects. Symptoms could last from a few hours to a few days.

People who may have eaten fish bought from the supermarkets or retailers listed were advised to consult a doctor if they were concerned.

- NZPA