Kit KittlestadSep 25, 2026 4 min read

Tuna Recall Gets FDA's Second-Highest Risk Classification

Raw tuna steak on wooden cutboard
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We may want to take a closer look at our tuna cans before we mix them with some mayo.

More than 330 pounds of fish distributed to five states are included in a tuna recall over concerns about food poisoning that can cause elevated histamine levels.

The Buckhead tuna recall came after the New Jersey Department of Health tested two samples and found elevated levels of scombrotoxin.

Which Tuna Is Being Recalled?

Delicous raw tuna steak for cooking over board
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Buckhead Meat Company, which operates as Trinity Seafood, recalled 332.9 pounds of tuna that was distributed in:

  • Connecticut

  • Maryland

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Pennsylvania

The affected tuna was sold in cases ranging from 3 to 15 pounds. According to the FDA enforcement report, the recalled products have code 0004255 and several different VAT numbers.

Why Is the Tuna Being Recalled?

The concern here is scombrotoxin poisoning, also known as scombroid poisoning. It can happen when certain types of fish aren't kept cold enough after they're caught. As bacteria break down the fish, histamine can build up and make us sick. Tuna is one of the fish commonly associated with this type of food poisoning.

There's another wrinkle here, too. Once those elevated histamine levels develop, cooking or freezing the fish won't get rid of the problem. So, giving the tuna a little extra time on the grill won’t make it safer.

What Are the Symptoms?

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Scombroid poisoning can come on quickly. Some reactions may look like an allergic reaction, and symptoms can include:

  • Facial flushing, itching, or hives

  • Headache or dizziness

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Sweating

  • Tingling, burning, or a peppery feeling around the lips, mouth, or throat

  • Abdominal cramps

  • Heart palpitations

In more serious cases, people may experience difficulty breathing, blurred vision, or swelling of the tongue. Because symptoms can develop so fast, anyone who becomes sick after eating tuna should contact their doctor.

What Does the FDA's Classification Mean?

The FDA tuna recall was given a Class II designation on September 16th. A Class II recall means the FDA believes exposure to the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. It can also be used when the chance of serious health consequences is considered remote.

Class II falls in the middle of the FDA's three recall classifications. 

Class I is reserved for products that carry a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death, while Class III applies when adverse health consequences aren't likely.

Check Your Tuna Tonight

This recall involves hundreds of pounds of tuna that were distributed to several states, so it's worth checking the product information before preparing any tuna tonight.

Cooking our way around the problem won’t be an option. Elevated histamine isn't destroyed by heat once it’s formed in the fish. That makes checking where our tuna came from more important than how we prepare it.

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