Health risk in consumption Warning of dried fish products

Botulism: Consumption of dried fish can be fatal
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture warns against the consumption of "roach" dried fish. There is a risk that the consumption of the product in humans triggers the life-threatening poisoning of botulism.

Danger for life-threatening poisoning
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture warns in a recent communication urgently against the consumption of dried fish with the product name "roach (rutilus rutilus) gutted, dried and salted", which is offered especially in Russian shopping markets. There is a risk that the life-threatening poisoning of botulism will be triggered by eating dry fish in humans.

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture warns against the consumption of "roach" dried fish. By consuming the product there is a risk that the life-threatening poisoning will trigger botulism. (Image: dulsita / fotolia.com)

Do not consume the affected product
Consumers who have bought such fish should not eat the goods. If you experience symptoms such as unusual headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or paralysis, you should see a doctor immediately.

In most cases, paralysis affects the eyes and vision, and the eyelids often can not be moved. Other symptoms may include speech disturbance, a dry mouth, soreness or shortness of breath.

The cause of the warning is the case of a patient who had initially been admitted to a clinic with the suspicion of botulism. This suspicion has been confirmed after sample investigations.

Botulism must be treated promptly
The dried fish consumed by the patient, in which the pathogen was detected, comes from a shopping center based in Damme (Vechta district), which in turn purchased the goods from a wholesaler in the district of Osnabrück.

The local authorities acted immediately. A potential sale, including through other transactions, is currently under review by the supervisory authorities.

Botulism is a life-threatening poisoning that can be caused by eating spoiled meat or fish.

The trigger is the toxin botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulism must be dealt with promptly, otherwise it can lead to death.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has pointed out in the past that health risks also threaten self-produced herbal oils, since "the production processes in private households can not ensure that the proliferation of Clostridium (C.) botulinum and the formation of botulinum toxin in the Products is generally prevented ". (Ad)