FDA expands list of CFP risk species

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance adding two species of lionfish…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance adding two species of lionfish to its list of reef fish that are at risk of containing organic toxins that can cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP).

The FDA already has guidelines in place warning seafood processors who purchase various reef fish species — including grouper, amberjack, snapper, lionfish, king mackerel and barracuda — to take steps to minimize risk of CFP poisoning in consumers.

Now, the FDA is adding two species of lionfish, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, to the list of at-risk species.

The fish in question get the CFP toxins either by eating toxic marine algae, or by eating other fish who have eaten the algae.

The FDA is recommending that seafood processors not purchase fish that "are likely to carry ciguatoxins." For processors who do purchase at-risk species, the FDA recommended purchasers learn from fishermen about harvest locations to determine if the fish were taken from an area known to have CFP toxins.