Kevin,
In reference to my earlier response to you & to Peter's (below), there was a recent article in the publication "Seafood Business" about how U.S. chefs are utilizing Escolar successfully by employing portion control and proper handling. The article also addresses proper identification & the need to differentiate Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) from its confamilial relative the Oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus). The reference is: "Product Spotlight: Escolar" by Chris Anderson; Seafood Business, December 2004 Vol.23, No.12, p.46. The publication's web address is: www.seafoodbusiness.com
The jist of the article is that despite media reports of its purgative effects, escolar's reputation is growing and it is a fine-eating fish. Incidentally, if you're doing research on the family of fishes to which this species belongs, many researchers place it in the Snake Mackerels, Family Trichiuridae, while others split the family and also recognize the Gempylidae mentioned in Peter's response.
Cheers,
Fredrik J. Stengard
Director of Research/QC/HACCP-Bio Safety
Bama Sea Products, Inc.
756 28th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Phone (727) 327-3474 x374
Fax (727) 327-7574
email: fstengard@bamasea.com
-----Original Message-----
From: P Howgate [mailto:phowgate@clara.co.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 1:54 PM
To: Kevin JK Choi; Seafood research and extension information exchange
Subject: Re: Is "Escolar" poisonous?
Dear all,
I am aware of several reports in the scientific literature on the purgative
effects of the oil in 'escolar'. I believe some countries already ban
importation or sale of this and associated species. The situation has been
considered in the EU and a summary of the hazard is given in 'Opinion of the
Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a request from the
Commission related to the toxicity of fishery products belonging to the
family of Gempylidae. Adopted on 30 August 2004' published in the EFSA
Journal, 2004, 92, 1-5. A copy is available on the EFSA Internet site at
http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/contam/contam_opinions/609/opinion_contam07_ej92_gempylidae_en1.pdf .
Following is a text of the summary in the report.
I thinkthere might be mislabelling of 'escolar' both ways. That is true
escolar might be labelled as bass or such and a warning about this was
issued by the UK FSA a year or so ago, and other species might be sold as
'escolar'. A couple of years ago I was in arestaurant that offered escolar
on the menu. I was surprised at this because I was not aware it was imported
into Britain. I had it anyway without ill effect. It did not taste oily and
I have reservations that I was in fact served with a Gempylid species.
Peter Howgate
-----------------------------------
"Oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus) and Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum)
belonging to the family of Gempylidae are consumed in several European
counties. These two species do not metabolise wax esters that occur
naturally in their diet and, as a consequence, these wax esters are stored
in the body of these fish. The oil content of the muscle meat of Oilfish and
Escolar amounts to 18 - 21 % and the oil contains > 90 % wax esters. The wax
esters may cause diarrhoea and other acute gastro-intestinal symptoms in
humans following the consumption of meat from these fish species. The
symptoms develop rapidly and may be pronounced but usually are not long
lasting. From the case reports available, it is not possible to establish an
intake level of such fish which will not lead to these adverse effects but
proper preparation practices may prevent such incidences."
----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin JK Choi
To: Seafood research and extension information exchange
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 4:11 PM
Subject: Is "Escolar" poisonous?
Greetings Seafood List Serve,
Does anyone have any information about fish "Escolar" that they can send to
me?
I currently have a big argument with one salesman.
He said that Escolar is poisonous without question and not allowed to cook
for a human being. He thinks that Escolar is resulting in the violent
diarrhea every time whenever people have. He also thinks that Escolar is
resulting in the violent diarrhea every time whenever people have.
But, I do not think so. I have tried to have this Escolar many times
before, but I was fine everytime. I like this fish, very pleasing texture.
I know that FDA allowed to sell this fish fillets on 1994 and many
Restaurants in United States are currently selling it as the best dish a la
carte.
Nevertheless, Is "Escolar" poisonous without question and not allowed to
cook for a human being? I believe that it will be fine, if we have just
little "Escolar" at once.
Please let me know if anyone has any opinion.
Thanks,
Kevin J.K. Choi
HANAMI FOODS CORP
Phone : 201-857-2175
201-657-3386
Fax : 201-581-0238
email : mail@hanamifood.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Apr 05 2005 - 12:17:56 PDT