Press Release

Suspected poisoning related to consumption of puffer fish

4 December 2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 4) called on the public not to consume puffer fish following a report of suspected poisoning associated with consumption of the fish.

The case involved a 32-year-old man, who developed nausea, vomiting, face and forearm numbness, dizziness and shortness of breath about 15 minutes after consuming a puffer fish for dinner last night (December 3) in his friend's home in Shenzhen.

He was admitted to North District Hospital today and is now in stable condition.

A CHP spokesperson said puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin, a heat-stable toxin that does not decompose with boiling or cooking.

"Toxins are most concentrated in organs such as the liver, gonads and skin. Avoiding eating puffer fish is the best way to prevent puffer fish poisoning," the spokesperson said.