Histamine and traceability of fish: literature review

ABSTRACT Concern about the quality of the fish has always been a recurring theme since it is a food of high nutritional value for the whole population, but with greater ease of formation and decay of harmful substances to man, if not well maintained. An example of a substance formed is histamine, a biogenic diamine primary and heterocyclic, non-volatile, thermoestable, originated by the decarboxylation of L-histidine when the conditions of handling and storage are inadequate, favoring the multiplication of natural microbiota. It has allergen potential and can cause intoxication in humans and, in severe cases, lead to death. For this problem, a traceability system could be the solution. The aim is to ensure the consumer a safe and wholesome product by controlling all stages of production, processing, distribution and marketing, enabling a perfect correlation between the final product and the raw material. In several countries, there are currently traceability systems controlling the chain of fish. In Brazil, several factors can be identified as barriers to the adoption of traceability: different regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the lack of coordination between these sectors, the lack of training of skilled labor and the devaluation of fishery products, which brings decapitalization of the base of the production chain. According to this, there are a number of challenges to deploy a traceability system in the country. This study aimed, through a systematic literature review of the literature, to report the current status of escombrotoxicose and traceability of histamine in fish.