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Food and Drug Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857

FDA Talk Papers are prepared by the Press Office to guide FDA personnel in responding with consistency and accuracy to questions from the public on subjects of current interest. Talk Papers are subject to change as more information becomes available.

 
T97-13                
March 7, 1997         
                      
 
FDA WARNS ASTHMATICS, OTHER SULFITE-SENSITIVE CONSUMERS ON TUNA
 
     FDA today warned sulfite-sensitive asthmatics and other
sulfite-sensitive consumers that canned tuna products may contain
undeclared sulfites.  The National Food Processors Association and
the U.S. tuna industry yesterday advised the agency that most white
(albacore) tuna and a limited amount of light tuna contain sulfites
not declared on the product labels.
     Sulfite-sensitive asthmatics and other sulfite-sensitive
individuals should not consume at this time any white (albacore)
canned tuna, and should check with the industry's information
number, 800-283-1112, for specific information about the presence
of sulfites in albacore and light canned tuna products.
     Sulfites can cause serious and life-threatening reactions in
certain asthmatics and other sulfite-sensitive individuals.  The
undeclared sulfites in canned tuna do not present a risk to
individuals who are not asthmatic or otherwise sulfite sensitive.
      Sulfites and sulfiting agents are added to many food products
as preservatives.  Food manufacturers who add detectable levels of
sulfites to food products are required to declare its presence on
product labels.
     The National Food Processors Association and the U.S. Tuna
Foundation yesterday informed FDA that sulfites have been added to
a significant proportion of canned tuna products inadvertently and
without manufacturers' knowledge.   The sulfites apparently were
contained but not declared in a raw material -- hydrolyzed
vegetable protein -- which is added to the tuna to enhance flavor.
     The industry has informed FDA it has now discontinued use of
raw materials containing sulfites.
     FDA and the industry are cooperating in notifying asthmatics
and other sulfite-sensitive individuals across the country of the
presence of undeclared sulfites in canned tuna products.  The
industry has agreed to place advertisements in newspapers informing
sulfite-sensitive consumers of the problem.  It has also alerted
the National Food Allergy Network to aid in the effort to
communicate information to susceptible individuals.  In addition,
manufacturers will relabel canned tuna currently containing
sulfites with stickers declaring its presence.
     FDA is investigating in cooperation with industry to determine
how the problem occurred and how it can be prevented from
recurring.
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