BY: AIN IBRAHIM

Marine experts are cautioning and warning Malaysians not to eat satay ikan bandaraya (suckermouth catfish) which has gone viral on social media platforms as it comes from the country’s most polluted rivers.

This culinary delicacy fish has the ability to thrive in polluted waters and absorb pollutants from its surroundings such as heavy metals and with its thick, tough skin and limited meat it often thrives in less-than-ideal environments.

Studies on food contamination show preliminary evidence of heavy metal accumulation in this fish and this bioaccumulation process poses a real high risk to those who indulge in it and awareness must be created of this species of fish.

Experts are calling for a comprehensive analysis of local varieties of the fish before it enters the domestic food market and although it has an enticing taste like prawns, it is highly unhealthy and consuming it can have serious implications to a person’s health.

In the event that lead contamination is present in the meat of this fish, it can cause disruption to the endocrine system of a person and is also often associated with several neuro-behaviour risks although the chemical is sweet to taste.

Some studies have found a relationship between lead exposure during pregnancy and the increased risks of autism in children and Pb exposure can severely impact IQ and emotional regulation especially in children.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher