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Do not eat these fish on vacation, they can poison you.

Do not eat these fish on vacation, they can poison you.

Some species of fish can cause poisoning that could ruin your vacation.

On vacation, we love eating local fish. Especially since fish is generally very good for our health. This food is indeed an excellent source of protein, minerals, vitamins, and omega-3s. But fish sometimes contains substances that are harmful to our health, including pollutants like heavy metals. And, more rarely, they can also be contaminated with toxins that can cause poisoning.

For example, ciguatera (also called "gratte") is a food poisoning caused by eating certain fish, which are "contaminated by marine toxins," explains ANSES (the French National Agency for Food Safety). The problem is that these toxins "resist cooking and freezing and do not alter the taste of the fish," the Agency explains. It is therefore very difficult to know if a fish is contaminated.

We often only realize it once the symptoms appear: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and then neurological signs such as itching, muscle pain, and profuse sweating. This is why it is essential to know the types of fish that can be contaminated, and where they are found.

They are "mainly observed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. French overseas territories are affected, particularly the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the French Antilles, New Caledonia and French Polynesia," notes ANSES. It has listed 67 "at risk" species: these are mainly fish that are part of the grouper, snapper, jack or amberjack family. The complete list is available in a document published by ANSES .

To avoid contamination when eating fish in the areas mentioned, it is recommended to find out about the species being consumed and to avoid "the most toxic parts: head, viscera, offal," advises ANSES. If, despite these precautions, symptoms of contamination appear, consult a health professional and, if possible, keep the fish eaten for analysis.

L'Internaute

L'Internaute

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