KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries Department has reminded consumers to be wary of the type of fish they purchase and traders about the food they sell.
This follows the death of an 83-year-old woman and the admittance to a hospital intensive care unit of her aged husband after the couple ate puffer fish they had purchased online.
"In Malaysia, there are several types of puffer fish (Lagocephalus sp.), which are species that contain nerve toxins (neurotoxins).
"According to the department's statistics, the total landing of puffer fish in Malaysia (in 2020) was around 1,337 tonnes, with the highest landing in Perak (804 tonnes), followed by Sarawak (228 tonnes) and Sabah (192 tonnes).
"The commonly caught species are from the Lagocephalus species, which is a banana puffer fish. They are Lagocephalus wheeleri, Lagocephalus spadiceus, and Lagocephalus lunaris, which look the same externally," it said.
It added that consumers who buy fish online, especially in fillet form, need to check the type of fish purchased.
It said traders also needed to be careful about the food they sell, as stated under the Food Act 1983 and the Regulations: Part III Offences and Evidence — Section 13(1)a.
The act dictates that those who prepare or sell food containing any substance which is poisonous, injurious, or detrimental to health consequently commit an offence and upon conviction will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to fine or to both.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain advised the public to avoid eating puffer fish of unknown type.
"Almost all types of puffer fish contain toxins that can cause poisoning if consumed incorrectly
"It is important to ensure that those who handle the puffer fish for consumption are experienced and knowledgeable about the fish," he added.
Consumers are advised to avoid eating parts that contain toxins such as liver, skin, intestines, and ovaries, which need to be removed before cooking.
Finally, consumers need to seek treatment from a medical centre if they experience symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, or muscle weakness, within 30 minutes to two hours of consumption.