Warning Issued Over Highly Toxic "Winged Croaker"
Stricter Caution Advised Than for Pufferfish
Do Not Eat or Touch; Seek Immediate Medical Help if Symptoms Occur
The discovery of the toxic fish species "Winged Croaker" in domestic waters has prompted authorities to urge extreme caution regarding consumption and contact.
On September 3, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety issued a warning, emphasizing that the subtropical fish "Winged Croaker," which has recently been caught in domestic waters due to the increase in autumn sea fishing, should never be eaten or handled with bare hands.
The Winged Croaker is a subtropical species now being caught off the southern coast of Jeju and other areas as sea temperatures rise due to climate change. The main concern is the presence of a toxic substance called palitoxin in the fish's body. This toxin is 20 times more potent than pufferfish toxin (tetrodotoxin) and can cause burning sensations, rashes, and pain even if it merely comes into contact with skin wounds or mucous membranes. Poisoning can lead to vomiting, full-body paralysis, and respiratory distress, and in severe cases, it can be fatal.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stressed, "Only four species of filefish are permitted for consumption in Korea: the Tailfin Filefish, the Whitespotted Filefish, the Filefish (juvenile), and the Blackline Filefish. The Winged Croaker is a toxic species and is not safe for consumption."
Pufferfish is also a species that requires strict safety management. With over 120 species distributed worldwide, pufferfish contain the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin in their eggs and internal organs. Poisoning can result in vomiting, nerve paralysis, and, in severe cases, death. In Korea, only 21 species, including the Tiger Puffer and the Yellow Puffer, are permitted for consumption, but it is difficult for the general public to distinguish them by appearance alone. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explained, "When preparing pufferfish, it must be handled by a certified expert with a pufferfish preparation license."
The Ministry also advised, "If you experience numbness in your hands or feet, dizziness, headache, loss of motor function, or difficulty breathing after eating food prepared with pufferfish or after handling the Winged Croaker, you must immediately call 119 for emergency assistance or seek treatment at a hospital without delay."
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