logo
Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly

Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly

News1817-07-2025
Eating fish is highly beneficial for health. It serves as an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of fish reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer. However, while the advantages of eating fish are plentiful, there are also certain fish that can be harmful to the body. One such fish, which is banned in India, unknowingly increases the risk of cancer.
Fish and rice are the favourite foods of Bengalis. Fish can be categorised into different types based on their source, fat content, and fibre. For instance, freshwater fish include Rui, Katla, Koi, and Puti, while saltwater fish include Rupchanda, Laitta, Bhetki, and Hilsa. Low-fat fish examples are Magur, Taki, and Shing, whereas high-fat fish include Pangash, Chital, Bhetki, and Hilsa.
The scientific name of Thai Magur is Clarias garipinus, also referred to as hybrid Magur or giant Magur. According to the Fisheries Department, the cultivation of this hybrid Magur is banned in the state because it consumes all other fish in the pond where it resides. Yet, despite the ban, this fish is being cultivated in numerous ponds across the state.
Thai Magur can grow to lengths of 3 to 5 feet. It can survive for extended periods with its artificial respiration system and can even move on land.
Dr. Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, emphasises that Thai Magur is extremely harmful and banned in India due to its serious health risks. The cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish are prohibited. In 2000, the central government banned the cultivation of Thai Magur in India through legal means, following the National Green Tribunal's orders to prevent significant environmental pollution. Additionally, Thai Magur grows so large that it consumes 70% of other fish in the pond.
Experts have warned that consuming Thai Magur can increase the risk of cancer. This exotic fish species is not only detrimental to human health but also disrupts environmental balance.
Dr. Arya stated that the cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish in India are strictly prohibited by law, and legal action is taken against those who violate this rule. The Fisheries Department is actively informing the public about the harmful effects of Thai Magur, particularly its cancer-causing properties.
Studies indicate that Thai Magur is responsible for approximately 70 percent of the decline in indigenous fish species in India, significantly impacting the aquatic environment. Furthermore, fishermen often feed this fish rotten meat and spinach, exacerbating water pollution.
Thai Magur grows by consuming industrial and agricultural waste mixed in the water, resulting in a body full of pollutants, including high mercury levels, which are severely harmful to humans.
In many countries, there is a tradition of eating raw fish. However, raw fish should not be consumed in our country's climate as it can cause stomach pain. In some instances, raw fish may contain harmful germs, posing health risks and potentially leading to death.
Some believe that eating raw fish gallbladders can reduce diabetes. However, the consequences can be severe. In 2023, a woman from Jharkhand consumed raw Rui fish gallbladder for three consecutive days to combat diabetes, ultimately leading to fatal kidney disease.
13/14
Many think eating various parts of raw fish can cure diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, and improve eyesight. This notion is entirely incorrect. Consuming raw fish parts can be fatal.
Fish contains protein, and regular consumption in moderation poses no harm. However, excessive consumption of Hilsa and Pangas can cause stomach upset.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This Cheap, Smelly Fish Could Be The Answer To Managing Your Diabetes And Cholesterol
This Cheap, Smelly Fish Could Be The Answer To Managing Your Diabetes And Cholesterol

News18

time16 hours ago

  • News18

This Cheap, Smelly Fish Could Be The Answer To Managing Your Diabetes And Cholesterol

For decades, the Bengali kitchen has been dominated by familiar names - Hilsa, Rui, Katla, Pabda, Tangra. These fish are staples, prized for their taste and tradition. But while the spotlight remained on the favourites, an unassuming marine species was quietly carrying medicinal secrets that science has only now begun to unravel. New research from West Bengal has brought Bhola Bhetki, a strong-smelling sea fish many had shunned, into sharp focus. (News18 Bengali) A collaborative study involving Belda College and Vidyasagar University in Paschim Medinipur, along with Raja Narendralal Khan Mahila Mahavidyalaya, suggests that Bhola Bhetki has powerful effects on blood sugar, blood pressure, and even cardiovascular health. (News18 Bengali) 3/7 The work, initiated in 2017 under the leadership of Professor Kaushik Das, also included contributions from Professors Srabanti Pain and Jayshree Laha, and student researchers Sanjay Das, Supriya Bhowmik, and Sayan Panda. (News18 Bengali) Their findings suggest that Bhola Bhetki not only helps in stabilising blood pressure but also aides in reducing signs of heart disease. People who regularly consume this fish report fewer issues with hypertension and heart problems, said Professor Pain, who was honoured for her work at the 2023 West Bengal Science and Technology Congress. (News18 Bengali) Field studies in coastal villages revealed that among the 124 people surveyed, only three or four were diabetic. By contrast, diabetes was present in nearly 30 percent of those who primarily consumed freshwater fish. That prompted researchers to take the study into the lab. There, rats on a sugar-heavy diet were fed Bhola Bhetki. Despite the high sugar intake, their blood glucose levels dropped dramatically. The evidence pointed to an active compound in the fish capable of tackling hyperglycemia. (News18 Bengali) Researchers now believe this compound, still being studied, could potentially be extracted and developed into a medicine. If successful, it may offer a natural alternative in diabetes management and even preventive care for high-risk groups. (News18 Bengali) 7/7 People often avoid Bhola Bhetki because of its strong smell, said Professor Pain, adding that what's being ignored in kitchens could soon be valued in clinics. While the fish might not yet be a crowd favourite on the dinner plate, science has given Bengalis a reason to reconsider. (News18 Bengali)

Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly
Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly

News18

time17-07-2025

  • News18

Cancer Risk, Mercury Poisoning, Organ Damage: This Toxic Fish Is Banned Yet Sold Openly

Eating fish is highly beneficial for health. It serves as an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of fish reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and various types of cancer. However, while the advantages of eating fish are plentiful, there are also certain fish that can be harmful to the body. One such fish, which is banned in India, unknowingly increases the risk of cancer. Fish and rice are the favourite foods of Bengalis. Fish can be categorised into different types based on their source, fat content, and fibre. For instance, freshwater fish include Rui, Katla, Koi, and Puti, while saltwater fish include Rupchanda, Laitta, Bhetki, and Hilsa. Low-fat fish examples are Magur, Taki, and Shing, whereas high-fat fish include Pangash, Chital, Bhetki, and Hilsa. The scientific name of Thai Magur is Clarias garipinus, also referred to as hybrid Magur or giant Magur. According to the Fisheries Department, the cultivation of this hybrid Magur is banned in the state because it consumes all other fish in the pond where it resides. Yet, despite the ban, this fish is being cultivated in numerous ponds across the state. Thai Magur can grow to lengths of 3 to 5 feet. It can survive for extended periods with its artificial respiration system and can even move on land. Dr. Priyanka Arya, Assistant Director of the Aligarh Fisheries Department, emphasises that Thai Magur is extremely harmful and banned in India due to its serious health risks. The cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish are prohibited. In 2000, the central government banned the cultivation of Thai Magur in India through legal means, following the National Green Tribunal's orders to prevent significant environmental pollution. Additionally, Thai Magur grows so large that it consumes 70% of other fish in the pond. Experts have warned that consuming Thai Magur can increase the risk of cancer. This exotic fish species is not only detrimental to human health but also disrupts environmental balance. Dr. Arya stated that the cultivation, sale, and consumption of this fish in India are strictly prohibited by law, and legal action is taken against those who violate this rule. The Fisheries Department is actively informing the public about the harmful effects of Thai Magur, particularly its cancer-causing properties. Studies indicate that Thai Magur is responsible for approximately 70 percent of the decline in indigenous fish species in India, significantly impacting the aquatic environment. Furthermore, fishermen often feed this fish rotten meat and spinach, exacerbating water pollution. Thai Magur grows by consuming industrial and agricultural waste mixed in the water, resulting in a body full of pollutants, including high mercury levels, which are severely harmful to humans. In many countries, there is a tradition of eating raw fish. However, raw fish should not be consumed in our country's climate as it can cause stomach pain. In some instances, raw fish may contain harmful germs, posing health risks and potentially leading to death. Some believe that eating raw fish gallbladders can reduce diabetes. However, the consequences can be severe. In 2023, a woman from Jharkhand consumed raw Rui fish gallbladder for three consecutive days to combat diabetes, ultimately leading to fatal kidney disease. 13/14 Many think eating various parts of raw fish can cure diseases like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis, and improve eyesight. This notion is entirely incorrect. Consuming raw fish parts can be fatal. Fish contains protein, and regular consumption in moderation poses no harm. However, excessive consumption of Hilsa and Pangas can cause stomach upset.

Metrowater says it can't remove forever chemicals from lakes
Metrowater says it can't remove forever chemicals from lakes

Time of India

time06-07-2025

  • Time of India

Metrowater says it can't remove forever chemicals from lakes

Chennai: In an ongoing case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai's lakes have come under scrutiny for contamination by 'forever chemicals'— toxic compounds linked to cancer and liver damage. Metrowater said the city's current treatment infrastructure cannot remove these chemicals, scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In an affidavit, the board said that PFAS enter water bodies through everyday items — especially fast food wrappers, instant noodle cups, and baking paper — whose chemical coatings break down in landfills. The resulting leachate seeps into groundwater and lakes, contaminating urban water systems. While these substances are known for their non-stick, oil-resistant properties, their extreme chemical stability also makes them nearly impossible to break down through conventional treatment. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Metrowater said that its plants meet Indian drinking water standards under IS:10500, but added that these norms do not cover PFAS. More importantly, they said that during treatment, certain PFAS precursors may convert into detectable PFAS forms, raising levels in treated water higher than the raw input. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 든든하게"... 굿리치 [등록번호:제2006038313호] 가입하기 Undo Globally, advanced economies have begun investing in high-end solutions such as plasma reactors and advanced oxidation systems to degrade PFAS, but Metrowater said such technologies are expensive and still unproven at scale. Laboratory results often don't translate to real-world success, where wastewater is filled with organic matter and other compounds that interfere with treatment. Detection itself is a hurdle. PFAS and their precursors require specialized equipment such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, which is costly and not widely available in India. Without clear regulations or national guidelines, utilities like Metrowater are operating in a scientific vacuum. Instead of downstream fixes, the board called for preventive measures — stopping PFAS at the source. That means controlling industrial and packaging uses before they enter the waste stream.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store