Hi~
There have been a lot of interesting coments on this. I thought I'd check
the Hazards Guide and found:
Escolar, puffer fish, and whelk
There are naturally occurring toxins in some species that do not involve
marine algae. Escolar or oilfish (i.e. Lepidocybium flavobrunneum, Ruvettus
pretiosus) contains a strong purgative oil, called gempylotoxin, that may
cause diarrhea when consumed. FDA advises against importation and interstate
marketing of these fish.
Ira Somerset
-----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_contam
07_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
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