Puffer fish are highly toxic, despite being considered a delicacy
An elderly couple from Malaysia have died after consuming poisonous pufferfish, leading their family to call for stricter regulations on the dish.
The couple, Ng Chuan Sing and Lim Siew Guan, had unknowingly purchased at least two pufferfish from a trusted vendor on March 25, according to local reports.
It is nearly impossible to properly identify pufferfish once they have been cleaned and sliced for sale.
After taking their order home, Guan fried the fish and served it for lunch.
“Breathing difficulties and shivers” followed quickly thereafter and they were both rushed to the hospital.
Despite being admitted to intensive care, Guan was pronounced dead at 7pm local time on the same day, and Sing fell into a coma before dying on Saturday morning. Both were in their early 80s.
“There needs to be more awareness about the risks of consuming puffer fish – maybe authorities need to look at special certifications for vendors and suppliers,” she said. to know the type of fish that they purchased,” Tan warned. “As for sellers, it is debatable on their (part) if they are aware (of the risks).” “There needs to be more awareness about the risks of consuming puffer fish – maybe authorities need to look at special certifications for vendors and suppliers,” she said.
Ng Ai Lee, their daughter, has since called for stronger laws in Malaysia, where at least 30 species of pufferfish are commonly found.
During a press conference at the couple's home, she urged the government to boost enforcement and awareness of pufferfish poisoning to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Some countries serve Pufferfish Sashimi as a 'delicacy' (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)
The cooking of pufferfish, also known as fugu, is subject to stringent laws in many countries.
In Japan and Korea, where pufferfish is also a delicacy, only chefs with at least three years experience can legally prepare the fish.
Without the aforementioned training or proper preparation, the fish (which contains high levels of tetrodotoxin) remains toxic.
Although Malaysian law prohibits even the sale of poisonous and harmful food—such as pufferfish meat—it is still said to be sold at many wet markets.
Records show 58 incidents of pufferfish poisoning have been reported in the country between 1985 and 2023, resulting in 18 fatalities.
The couple's deaths have sparked public outrage, and the authorities are now investigating the incident.
“The state district health office has opened investigations under the Food Act 1983… and carried out an investigation on the ground to identify the supplier, wholesaler and seller of the pufferfish,” said Ling Tian Soon, chief of the Johor Health and Unity Committee.
