The Food Safety and Quality Centre (FSQC) has issued a warning advising consumers to avoid purchasing or consuming several species of pufferfish due to the presence of dangerous toxins. According to the FSQC, these fish can carry tetrodotoxin, a potent poison targeting the nervous system. The center highlighted that standard preparation methods, including freezing and cooking, cannot guarantee the removal of these toxins or ensure the fish is safe to eat.
The FSQC identified several restricted or banned pufferfish species, including the green pufferfish Arothron hispidus, Arothron immaculatus, Lagocephalus sceleratus, and Diodon hystrix, among others. Symptoms associated with consuming these toxic fish range from muscle weakness, numbness, nausea, and vomiting to severe respiratory difficulties and potentially death. Consequently, the authority urged the public to acquire seafood exclusively from reliable and secure vendors.
