How do dead fish poison for people to eat?

When the fish dies, their flesh decomposes and produces toxins, people who eat will be poisoned, gas, diarrhea.

Dead fish floating on the surface of West Lake.(Photo: Thuy Quynh).

Two days now, Ho Tay (Hanoi) has the phenomenon of dead white fish floating on the water, washed up on each shore. Health experts recommend that people do not pick up or salvage dead fish for food.

According to Dr. Dam Sao Mai, Director of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, when the fish died, the immune system weakened and free bacteria grew and developed. The process of decomposing fish forms organic acids that cause odors and changes color and histidine protein content . This protein transforms into toxic amino acid called histamine . When bacteria multiply, the amount of histamine also increases and accumulates in seafood meat. Histamine is very dangerous because it can withstand heat, can cause poisoning even if it is cooked.

Dr. Tran Van Ky, expert on food hygiene and safety under Vietnam Food Science and Technology Association, also said that fish has died long time, their meat decomposes and produces toxins . People who eat the right kind of fish may have acute poisoning such as digestive disorders, flatulence, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea . In the long term, chemicals from dead fish will be absorbed in the body causing chronic diseases destructive properties of liver, kidney, lungs, nervous system.