Biogenic amines in food as a public health concern an outline of histamine food poisoning

Abstract

Food-borne diseases have an important impact on public health. In recent years, epidemiological recording of diseases is ongoing, but more data are required for the assessment of food poisoning from biogenic amines. This article presents an outline of the consequences of biogenic amines in food, with an emphasis on histamine food poisoning and the foods which are most likely to pose a health risk from biogenic amines in high levels. Scombroid food poisoning (SFP) is a global food safety problem. Histamine intoxication is the form of food poisoning which is the most toxic and the most frequently observed. The toxic effects of food-borne histamine can present with a variety of symptoms, including anaphylaxis, irritation and nausea. The current legal limits for food content are presented, along with the preventive measures that businesses should take for the avoidance of accumulation of biogenic amines in foods at levels unsafe for consumer health. © Athens Medical Society.