Sabah govt considers banning sale of poisonous puffer fish

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is considering listing the highly poisonous puffer fish as a banned species for sale.

Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said for now the species could be sold in the state.

"Puffer fish contains a high level of poison, but it is not listed in the list of banned items for sale in markets.

"This is because there are people who know how to remove the toxin (prior to consuming) them," he told reporters after his ministry's annual address at Wisma Pertanian here.

Jeffrey, who is also state deputy chief, added that although puffer fish could be safely eaten for some, there are other fish species that pose no such risk.

He said the Fisheries department, under his ministry, has received some cases of puffer fish poisoning including a recent incident in Kota Marudu.

The poison found in puffer fish, known as tetrodotoxin, affects the nervous system and can be fatal.

"But this is an opportunity for us to discuss whether to include the fish in the banned list for sale."

under the Section 13 of Food Act 1983.

The statement was made following the death of a senior citizen at Kluang, Johor after consuming puffer fish.

On the Health Ministry's ban, Jeffrey said: "Yes, but (such a ban) is not yet included in our state law. It can be considered."

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