PUFFERFISH, which contains dangerous toxins, is not allowed to be sold Malaysia.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the fish is poisonous and harmful, following the death of a woman who had consumed it in Johor.

Noor Hisham said the sale of pufferfish is controlled under the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority Act 1972.

“In addition to this, Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 describes the prohibition of the sale of any food is poisonous, harmful or otherwise injurious to health. Therefore, pufferfish, which contains dangerous toxins, is not allowed to be sold,” he said in a statement on the Health Ministry’s Facebook page today.

Pufferfish, or fugu, is a delicacy in Japan, but the tetrodotoxin found in the fish is more toxic than cyanide. Chefs must undergo rigorous training and hold a licence to prepare the pufferfish for consumption.

An 83-year-old woman Lim Siew Guan in Kluang died on Saturday after eating the fish. Her husband, who had also consumed the fish, is in a coma, The Star reported today.

Noor Hisham said data from the Disease Control Division showed 58 people have been poisoned and 18 have died in Malaysia from consuming the fish since 1985. 

“The Food Safety and Quality Division has produced educational materials to increase public awareness regarding the dangerous toxin in pufferfish. The MOH will continue to educate the public on food safety including the danger of consuming puffer fish.”

He noted that a survey that was carried out by the MOH in 2019 showed that 86% of respondents, which included fishmongers, fishermen and cooks, were aware of the dangers of   consuming pufferfish. – March 30, 2023.