FDA Issues Fish Food Poisoning Warning

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a warning against several types of fish harvested from the northern Gulf of Mexico after it was linked to an unusual type of food poisoning

Several outbreaks of ciguatera fish poisoning have been confirmed, according to a report from Associated Press. Symptoms of this variety of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, vertigo and joint pain. At least 28 cases are known, including several outbreaks in Washington, D.C., and St. Louis. The first case was reported in late November 2007.

The FDA has targeted fish harvested near the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Processors are being advised not to take in fish from this area.

Some common varieties of fish that could be carrying this illness are grouper, snapper, amberjack and barracuda. These fish – normally large in size – feed on smaller fish that eat toxic algae.

Long-term and more serious effects of ciguatera poisoning include neurological problems that can last months or years.