Μake us preferred on Google Greek authorities have seized and ordered the destruction of nearly 20 tons of canned tuna from Turkey after laboratory tests found exceptionally high levels of histamine in the shipment.
The Attica regional veterinary services seized a total of 19,448.04 kilograms of canned tuna in sunflower oil, comprising 1,903 cartons. The products were classified as unsafe and unsuitable for human consumption, and their distribution was immediately prohibited.
The entire shipment was sent for destruction and did not reach consumers.
Seizure and destruction by the Attica Regional Government of an entire shipment of unsuitable food products from Turkey. (Attica Regional Government Press Office/Eurokinissi)
High histamine levels detected
The case began with sampling conducted by the Piraeus Border Control Post, the authority responsible for inspecting the shipment of canned tuna originating from Turkey.
The samples were then tested by the Piraeus Chemical Service of Greece’s General Chemical State Laboratory. The laboratory results showed exceptionally high concentrations of histamine.
In five of the nine sampling units, individual samples exceeded the maximum permitted histamine level of 200 milligrams per kilogram.
The average histamine concentration across the samples was 574.1 milligrams per kilogram, substantially above the maximum permitted average level of 100 milligrams per kilogram.
Following notification of the unsatisfactory laboratory results, a team of veterinarians immediately seized the entire shipment.
Entire shipment sent for destruction
The 19,448.04 kilograms of canned tuna were permanently excluded from the market and, in accordance with the required procedures and under the supervision of the veterinary authorities, transported to an approved incineration facility for final destruction.
The authorities emphasized that the case was not triggered by a consumer complaint or discovered after the products had entered the market.
Instead, the shipment was identified through the official food-control system and cooperation among the relevant authorities, highlighting the preventive role of inspections in protecting food safety.
Hardalias: No shipment reached consumers
Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias described the seizure as one of the largest carried out in recent years by the region’s services.
“Another operation by our inspectors has been completed. Nearly 20 tons of unsuitable canned tuna from Turkey, with extremely high concentrations of histamine, were seized. An entire shipment from which not a single can reached consumers,” Hardalias said.
He emphasized that the authorities do not wait for complaints before taking action.
“We do not wait for any complaint to act. Inspections are carried out daily and systematically,” he said, adding that regional services are working with consistency and a sense of responsibility.
Hardalias said the seizure followed a series of major operations by the regional authorities since December 2024.
Despite what he described as serious staffing shortages, he said, regional personnel remain on the front line of food-safety inspections.
“Against everything that is being said, we respond with facts. With inspections. With results. Because when it comes to public health, we do not compromise,” he said.
