Oil rig workers ‘poisoned’ by frozen tuna

A SHIPMENT of contaminated Vietnamese tuna has been destroyed at Immingham Docks after four workers on a Norwegian oil rig developed suspected food poisoning.

Histamine poisoning is linked to tuna and other fish not kept at the right temperature, and food hygiene experts traced the source to a consignment of frozen tuna loin being stored at Immingham.

The tuna originated in Vietnam and four cases were sent to the oil rig, where the men became ill.

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Altogether 90kg of the tuna was destroyed by North East Lincolnshire Council.

Principal environmental health officer Julie Moody said: “Tuna is particularly susceptible to histamine contamination if it is not handled and stored appropriately – that’s why we would strongly urge people to remember to keep fresh tuna chilled and to eat it before the use-by date.

“It is likely that the tuna in this case was not kept at appropriate temperatures for the entire length of its journey, allowing the histamine to accumulate.”