Luxury delicacy, but deadly: Oman issues warning against 12 pufferfish species
The poison is stored in the fish's ovaries and liver. The fish isn't born poisonous either.
The poison is stored in the fish's ovaries and liver. The fish isn't born poisonous either.
The poison is stored in the fish's ovaries and liver. The fish isn't born poisonous either.
Fans of the famous show 'The Simpsons' will remember the episode in which Homer enjoys a pufferfish dish, only to be told later that it was poisonous and he has just a few hours to live. In East Asian culture, pufferfish is used to make world-class, exotic delicacies like fugu, sake kits and even collagen supplements and skincare. However, recently, the Food Safety and Quality Centre in Oman has warned people against buying or eating 12 species of pufferfish found in the Sea of Oman. What's the reason?
What is a pufferfish?
Pufferfish is a slow, scaleless fish with a long, tapered body and bulbous head. It can inflate its body to three times its size by gulping air or water into its stomach. The fish contains tetrodotoxin, a deadly toxin that is more than 1,000 times more potent than cyanide. It also has no antidote. There are more than 120 varieties of pufferfish in the world.
If so, how is it used for cooking?
Interestingly, experts say the toxin in pufferfish is not in its meat. The poison is stored in the fish's ovaries and liver. The fish isn't born poisonous either. They acquire it from the toxic bacteria and bugs they consume in the ocean. Today, pufferfish are raised in safe fish farms and fed safe food. Such fish can be completely poison-free. Moreover, chefs who prepare pufferfish must be licensed and use ultra-sharp knives to remove the toxic organs, if any, without popping them. This means the toxins are removed from the fish before cooking it. Cooking can't remove pufferfish toxins.
Why the warning in Oman?
The Oman authorities say the following species of pufferfish shouldn't be used for cooking: Arothron hispidus, Arothron nigropunctatus, Canthigaster valentini, Arothron immaculatus, Chelonodon patoca, Arothron stellatus, Diodon liturosus, Lagocephalus lunaris, Diodon hystrix, Arothron meleagris, Lagocephalus sceleratus and Diodon holocanthus. They also urged consumers to buy fish only from reliable sources and ensure the species they buy is known to be safe to eat.
What happens if toxic fish is consumed
The toxin named tetrodotoxin in certain pufferfish can cause numbness, vomiting, muscle weakness, paralysis and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the poisoning can be fatal as well.