A fish considered dangerous to health and highly sought after in restaurants and fishmongers is raising new concerns among health authorities. It is known as butterfish and is valued for its mild flavor, but it can cause serious health problems. In Portugal, its commercialization is permitted, but in several countries, including Japan and Italy, consumption is prohibited due to the associated risks. This is the Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum), a deep-sea fish whose meat, rich in fat, has once again been at the center of an international alert, this time issued by the Danish authorities, according to the magazine.
Escolar is widely consumed in countries such as Spain and Portugal, where it is often sold under the name “butterfish”. Its consistent texture and strong flavor make it a common choice in sushi restaurants or grilled fish dishes.
However, its popularity hides a little-publicized danger: fish contains high levels of wax esters, a type of fat that the human body cannot absorb.
According to the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen), these substances can cause intense 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 prepared properly.
Reactions and precautions in preparation
According to the same entity, Danish health authorities advise avoiding raw or undercooked consumption and insist on rigorous heat treatments, such as cooking or frying at high temperatures, to minimize risks.
They also warn that cooking water and released fat should not be reused, as they contain the same unwanted substances.
One of the formats considered most risky is cold-smoked Escolar, a method that does not reach sufficient temperatures to eliminate the waxes present in the fish. Therefore, 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 schooling are not new. Japan and Italy completely banned its sale several years ago, due to reported cases of poisoning. According to the same source, in other countries, such as Denmark, its commercialization is legal, but heavily regulated, with specific labeling and consumer warning requirements.
In Portugal, there is no ban, and the fish can be found in some restaurants and commercial areas under the name of butterfish. Even so, Portuguese food authorities do not recommend frequent consumption and warn that it should always be well prepared.
A debate that divides experts
For some consumers, Escolar is an exotic delicacy with a distinct flavor and texture. For others, it is a fish to be avoided, considered dangerous due to the gastrointestinal discomfort it can cause. The reality 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, how it is prepared and the health recommendations is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Basically, this fish that is prohibited elsewhere continues to reach the table in Portugal and not everyone knows what they are really consuming.
Also know that Escolar is sometimes confused with other species of white fish in restaurants, which leads many consumers to eat it without even knowing exactly what is in the dish.
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