An elderly couple has passed away after unknowingly eating a poisonous puffer fish for lunch in Malaysia.
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Ng Chuan Sing and his wife, Lim Siew Guan, approximately in their 80s, unknowingly purchased the pufferfish from an online vendor in Johor and ate it on March 25. According to PEOPLE, their daughter Ng Ai Lee said her parents frequently bought fish from the same vendor for years and believed her father wouldn’t purchase something that would endanger their lives.
After consuming the fish, Lim had difficulties breathing and shivers. Her husband started to experience similar symptoms about an hour after. They were transported to a local hospital, where Lim was pronounced dead several hours later at 7:00 p.m. Sing fell into a coma and died on Saturday.
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“Those responsible for their deaths should be held accountable. I also hope the Malaysian government will beef up enforcement and help to raise public awareness on pufferfish poisoning to prevent such incidents from happening again,” Lee said.
Pufferfish, also known as fugu, is a delicacy in Japan, but it is also consumed in other countries, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, pufferfish is often served as part of a dish called “Yee Sang,” a traditional dish eaten during the Chinese New Year festivities.
I read Japanese chefs spend years training how to prepare this fish safely…it turns out that even in Japan fatalities do occur.
— MaKin (@KiarKini) April 11, 2023
However, it is important to note that pufferfish can be highly toxic if not prepared properly. In Japan, chefs who prepare pufferfish must undergo years of training and pass a rigorous certification process before they are allowed to serve the fish to customers.
Symptoms of eating the pufferfish include tingling of the lips and mouth and dizziness. According to CNN, the symptoms can start 20 minutes after eating the fish. However, selling poisonous goods is not necessarily illegal in Malaysia but is highly regulated. In Malaysia, the import, sale, and consumption of pufferfish are subject to strict licensing and control by the government.
This is because pufferfish contain a potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can be lethal if not prepared properly. Even a small amount of the toxin can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death. As a result, preparing and serving pufferfish requires special training and expertise.
In Malaysia, only licensed and trained chefs are allowed to prepare and serve pufferfish, and they must follow strict guidelines to ensure that the fish is safe for consumption. Additionally, the importation of pufferfish is highly regulated to ensure that only safe and properly prepared fish are sold in the country.
The local state district health office is investigating the family’s case to locate the supplier, wholesaler, and seller. “We urge the public to be careful when choosing their food, especially if it has known risks,” said Johor Health and Unity Committee official Ling Tian Soon. There have been 58 incidents of pufferfish poisoning and 18 deaths since 1985.