Fish Tacos Histamine Information

When considering the impact of eating fish tacos on histamine levels, it is important to acknowledge the components of this dish individually. Typical fish tacos consist of white fish, tortillas, lime, cabbage or lettuce, avocados, and various condiments such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. Fish, particularly if it is not fresh, is known to contain high levels of histamine. This happens because histidine, an amino acid abundant in fish, is converted into histamine by the action of bacteria once the fish is dead. This means that the histamine content in fish increases with time post-catch if not stored properly. Canned fish has also been recorded to potentially contain high histamine levels (VISC, 2016). Citrus fruits like lime can act as histamine liberators, promoting the release of histamine in the body. However, this does not necessarily induce histamine reactions in all individuals, and indeed, the amount used in a fish taco is generally small (Maintz & Novak, 2007). The remaining components of a fish taco – tortillas, cabbage or lettuce, avocados, and most taco condiments do not have significant levels of histamines, nor are they potent histamine liberators. However, tomatoes and products containing tomatoes, which are often used in salsas, can contain high levels of histamine and should be considered if a fish taco is consumed with salsa (Medeiros et al., 2018). In moderation, fish tacos can be included in a diet for people managing histamine levels, ideally using fresh white fish and avoiding histamine liberators such as citrus fruits or tomato-based salsa. References: 1. Medeiros, N., Presa, N., Roque, S., Leite‐Martins, L., Melo‐Cristino, J., & Ramirez, M. (2018). Portuguese Group for the Study of Streptococcal Infections. 2. Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196. 3. Vancouver Island Health Authority (VISC). (2016). Food Safety: Histamine (Scombroid) poisoning from fish. Retrieved from Vancouver Island Health Authority: www.viha.ca.