Canned tuna from Thailand under scrutiny after four poisoned in Australia

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Four people in Sydney are suffering from suspected fish poisoning after eating sandwiches made with tuna imported from Thailand, agencies reported yesterday. The four had eaten at the same cafe.

Health authorities said the tuna was suspected to have caused scombroid fish poisoning.

Meanwhile New South Wales Food Authority said it has obtained samples of the product for further testing and identified the product as John Bull Tuna Chunky Style in sunflower oil.

The best before date on the can was November 2017.

The cafe has since replaced the brand, though health authorities said the illness is commonly linked to fish that has not been properly stored. Though this sort of poisoning causes similar symptoms to an allergic reaction, it is rarely fatal.

“The Public Health Unit of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District has been alerted to four suspected cases of scombroid fish poisoning associated with eating fish that may not have been properly stored,” unit director Mark Ferson said. “The Public Health Unit has notified the Food Authority which is carrying out further investigations.”

The New South Wales Food Authority said the product was an “obscure foreign brand” used predominately in catering and the importer would be contacting all its clients later yesterday.

— Phuket Gazette Editors