A fish considered dangerso for health and very popular in restaurants and fishmongers is generating new concern among health authorities. It is known as butterfish and is appreciated for its delicate flavor, but it can cause serious health problems. In Portugal, its sale is legal, but in several countries, including Japan and Italy, consumption is prohibited due to the risks it represents. This is the school (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum), a deep-sea fish whose meat, rich in fat, is once again at the center of an international alert, this time launched by the Danish authorities, according to AS magazine.
Escolar is very popular in countries such as Spain and Portugal, where it is often sold under the name “butterfish”. The firm texture and intense flavor make it a common option in sushi restaurants or grilled fish dishes.
However, its popularity hides a little-known risk: fish contains high levels of wax esters, a type of fat that the human body cannot digest.
According to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen), these substances can cause severe laxative effects, similar to those of castor oil, causing abdominal pain, nausea and severe diarrhea. The problem is particularly common when this fish, considered dangerous, is not cooked properly.
Reactions and precautions in preparation
According to the same source, Danish health authorities recommend avoiding raw or undercooked consumption and insist on rigorous heat treatments, such as boiling or frying at high temperatures, to reduce risks.
They also warn that cooking water and released fat should not be reused, as they contain the same undesirable substances.
One of the formats considered most dangerous is cold-smoked Escolan, a method that does not reach sufficient temperatures to eliminate the waxes present in the fish. For this reason, the sale of this product is prohibited in Denmark, a measure that reinforces the warning about its raw consumption.
Banned in several countries
The risks associated with school are nothing new. Japan and Italy completely banned its sale several years ago, due to reported cases of poisoning. According to , in other countries, such as Denmark, its sale is legal, but heavily regulated, with specific labeling and consumer warning obligations.
In Portugal, there is no prohibition, and the fish can be found in some restaurants and commercial areas under the name of butterfish. However, Portuguese food authorities do not recommend frequent consumption and warn that it should always be well cooked.
A debate that divides experts
For some consumers, Escolar is an exotic delicacy with a unique flavor and texture. For others, it is a fish to avoid, considered dangerous due to the gastrointestinal discomfort it can cause. The truth is that this food continues to generate controversy in the scientific and gastronomic community, dividing opinions between pleasure and risk.
As the Danish warning reminds us, knowing the origin of the fish, the preparation method and health recommendations is important to avoid unpleasant surprises.
After all, what is prohibited in many countries continues to reach the table in Portugal and not everyone knows what they are really eating.
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