Call 911 - Fugu Sashimi ( testes a la carte)

What you are seeing above is Fugu sashimi - thin, raw slices of blowfish on a plate. If you recall we have discussed in previous blogs the dangers of preparing the poisonous blowfish (pufferfish) for consumption by humans. This is a Japanese delicacy and must be prepared by expert chefs with many months of training. All fugi chefs must also go through a detailed licensing procedure. This AP article arrived Tuesday and illustrates the dangers of preparing fugu. I know you all know the gourmet "treat" mountain oysters. This article brings the similar idea to a dangerous height.

updated 11:36 a.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 27, 2009

TOKYO - Blowfish testicles prepared by an unauthorized chef sickened seven diners in northern Japan and three remained hospitalized Tuesday after eating the poisonous delicacy.


The owner of the restaurant in Tsuruoka city, who is also the chef, had no license to serve blowfish and was being questioned on suspicion of professional negligence, police official Yoshihito Iwase said.


Blowfish, while extremely poisonous if not prepared properly, is considered a delicacy in Japan and is consumed by thrill-seeking gourmets.



Iwase said the seven men ordered sashimi and grilled blowfish testicles at the restaurant Monday night.


Shortly after, they developed limb paralysis and breathing trouble and started to lose consciousness — typical signs of blowfish poisoning — and were rushed to a hospital for treatment, Iwase said.


A 68-year-old diner remained hospitalized in critical condition with respiratory failure and two others, aged 55 and 69, were in serious condition, he said.


"It's scary. If you go to a decent-looking restaurant that serves fugu, you would assume a cook has a proper fugu license," Iwase said, using the Japanese term for blowfish.


Blowfish poison, called tetrodotoxin, is nearly 100 times more poisonous than potassium cyanide, according to the Ishikawa Health Service Association. It can cause death within an hour and a half after consumption.


Three people died and 44 others were sickened by blowfish poisoning in 2007 — most of them after catching the fish and cooking it at home — according to the Health Ministry.