Recently the Chicago Sun-Times tested sushi restaurants to see if what they were serving as red snapper was actually red snapper. Out of 14 restaurants tested none were snapper.

While this is labeling is not dangerous, the latest case of mislabeled fish is very serious.

The FDA is warning about mislabeled monkfish that’s actually puffer fish. This can be extremely dangerous as puffer fish contains a deadly toxin called tetrodotoxin.

Initial symptoms of tetrodotoxin poisoning occur 30 minutes to several hours after food containing the toxin is consumed. Tetrotoxin poisoning is characterized initially by tingling of the lips and tongue. Tingling of the face and extremities and numbness follow. Subsequent symptoms may include headache, balance problems, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Consumers experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care and are encouraged to report their illness to local health authorities. In severe cases, muscles can become paralyzed, and death may follow from respiratory muscle paralysis.

A total of 282 22-pound boxes labeled as monkfish were distributed to wholesalers in Illinois, California and Hawaii beginning in September 2006. These fish were then sold to restaurants or sold in stores. In one instance, the retailer labeled the fish as “bok,” the Korean name for puffer fish.

The white 22-pound boxes were labeled in black ink. One box panel is labeled as: “FROZEN MONKFISH GUTTED AND HEAD-OFF” and “PRODUCT OF CHINA.” A second 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.).” A third panel has a checkbox indicating the size as either “0.5-1″ or “1-2″ and shows the net weight as 22 pounds. There are no manufacturing codes on the box. The fish in the box are individually wrapped in plastic bags with no labeling.

[tags]sushi, food safety, fresh fish, fish[/tags]