Thread: 2 Chicagoans sickened by Imported Monkfish

2 Chicagoans sickened by suspected pufferfish
Importer recalls monkfish

May 24, 2007
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- A frozen product labeled monkfish distributed in three states is being recalled after two Chicago area people became ill after eating it, the importer announced today.

Hong Chang Corp. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., said it is recalling the product labeled as monkfish because it may contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin.

While the frozen fish imported from China was labeled monkfish, the company said it is concerned it may be pufferfish because the toxin usually is associated with certain types of pufferfish.

Eating foods containing tetrodotoxin can result in life-threatening illness or death and the toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.

The company said two people in the Chicago area became ill after eating soup containing the fish. Analysis by the Food and Drug Administration confirmed the presence of the toxin.

Some 282 22-pound boxes of the fish were distributed to wholesalers in Illinois, California and Hawaii beginning in September, the company said. The fish was sold in retail stores, restaurants and cash-and-carry stores in these regions.

The fish are individually packaged in clear plastic sleeves and placed in a plastic liner, which is inside a cardboard box. There are no lot numbers on the box. Labels on one panel read "MONK FISH GUTTED AND HEAD-OFF PRODUCT OF CHINA."

A second box panel bears nutritional facts and the following, "Ingredients: Monk fish; Imported by: Hong Chang Corp., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670; Product of China (P.R.C.)."

Consumers who have purchased this monkfish can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Care should be exercised in handling the fish as the tetrodotoxin may be present on the skin and flesh of the fish. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-562-309-0068.

People who may have consumed these products and have concerns are encouraged to contact their health care provider. Illnesses associated with consumption of these products should be reported to the nearest FDA district offices and to the local health authority.

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/4002 ... 24.article

There are restaurants in Japan that specialze in pufferfish it is also known as fugu. Those restaurants that serve fugu test it by serving it ahead of time to animals and staff but sometimes it is fatal.

Let's stick with Grouper, Snapper, Trout, Bass, Yellow Tail, Salmon, Kingfish, Swordfish, Mackrel, all those American fish we've come to love and know. Just don't eat the fellow on the left..he can make you sick as well (Baracuda).

Why would someone eat something called Monkfish?

Don't eat catfish imported from China.

They've been feed some sort of medicine that kills bacteria that comes from ingesting human and animal feces.

FDA doesn't even check it.