Kibbeh Histamine Information

Kibbeh is a traditional Middle Eastern dish typically consisting of bulgur wheat, minced onions, and finely ground lean beef, goat, lamb, or camel meat. This combination of ingredients is crucial in understanding the possible histamine impact of this meal. Among the main ingredients, none are listed as foods with a high histamine content or histamine liberators. Accordingly, kibbeh would not seem to be a significant threat for those exhibiting histamine intolerance. However, there are certain factors that could make kibbeh a dish to be consumed with caution, especially depending on preparation and additional ingredients used. Canned beef or long-stored meat, if used, could potentially contain high levels of histamine, mainly due to microbial activity during storage (1). If the meat has been smoked, this would also add to the histamine content given that smoked meat is a high histamine food (2). Onion, another key ingredient, is not known to be rich in histamine or a histamine liberator, but some individuals may have specific intolerance or allergic reactions to it, leading to increased histamine activity (3). Bulgur wheat is not normally a high-histamine product (4) but in individuals with gluten sensitivity, it might cause reactions which can include histamine release. While lamb, beef, goat, and camel meats are not typically associated with high histamine content, individual responses can vary, and it should be noted that any food protein has the potential to trigger an immune response that could involve histamine release. To be perfectly clear, the histamine content or histamine-releasing capability of kibbeh has not been specifically researched. Our understanding of the potential for this dish to interact with histamine arises from studies on the ingredients usually used to prepare it. References: 1. Sattler J, Hesterberg R, Lorenz W, Schmidt U, Crombach M, Stahlknecht CD. "Food-induced histaminosis under diamine oxidase (DAO) blockade in pigs: a model for studying dietary effects in human beings." Agents Actions. 1990 Mar;29(3-4):347-9. 2. Maintz L, Schwarzer V, Bieber T, van der Ven K, Novak N. "Effects of histamine and diamine oxidase activities on pregnancy: a critical review." Hum Reprod Update. 2008 Sep-Oct;14(5):485-495. 3. Seitz CS, Bröcker EB, Trautmann A. “Diagnostic testing in suspected onion intolerance: comparison of the basophil activation test with skin-prick testing.” Food and Agricultural Immunology. 2010 Sep; 21(3): 267–273. 4. Turnbull JL, Adams HN, Gorard DA. “Review article: the diagnosis and management of food allergy and food intolerances.” Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Jan;41(1):3-25.