The Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health has advised that the brand of anchovies as described below must not be consumed due to elevated levels of histamine.

Histamine is a compound which occurs naturally in the human body. It is involved in biological processes such as allergic response. “Nevertheless, histamine may be hazardous to human health if its levels reach a critical threshold,” the Directorate said.

High levels of histamine may cause intoxication and symptoms may include skin flushing, rash, gastrointestinal complaints and throbbing headache.

Product name on the label: Filetti di Acciughe all’Olio d’Oliva in a jar (Fletti tal-incova fiz-zejt taz-zebbuga) Brand: Nixe; Lot:186/179; Durability Date: BB 05/07/2024 and weight: 80g.

For further information, the public is kindly requested to contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 8:00am and 2:30pm on telephone number 21337333 or by email on admin.ehd@gov.mt

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