When you’re out at a restaurant, ordering something exotic and new can be tempting, and sometimes that means a new type of fish. After all, who doesn’t love trying something different? However, you should avoid ordering some types of fish, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them. And while the odds are you will be safe, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. This article will look at some different fish types you should never order from a restaurant.
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The Safest Fish To Order Anywhere
If you’re looking for the safest fish to order anywhere, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose fish that are low in mercury. Mercury is a toxic element that can accumulate in the body and is especially harmful to fetuses, infants, and young children. Fortunately, there are plenty of safe options to choose from. For example, salmon is a delicious and nutritious choice that is also low in mercury.
Other safe options include tilapia, pollock, and haddock. It’s also essential to ensure that the fish you select is cooked correctly. Undercooked or raw fish can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. So be sure to order your cooked fish, and you’ll enjoy a safe and healthy meal.
Fish You Should Never Order At A Restaurant
As you just learned, some fish are safer to order than others. But what about the fish you should never order? These are typical fish high in mercury or more likely to be contaminated with bacteria. However, some of these fish made the list due to other reasons, such as the risk of extinction. Here are some fish you should never order from a restaurant.
Shark
There are many reasons why you should never order shark from a restaurant. For one, shark populations are in decline due to overfishing and are slow to reproduce, which means that every shark killed significantly impacts the overall population. Additionally, sharks are caught using cruel and indiscriminate methods, such as longlines and gill nets. These practices kill sharks and other marine animals, including dolphins, turtles, and even seabirds.
Furthermore, the demand for shark fins has led to the practice of finning, in which sharks are caught, and their fins are cut off and thrown back into the water to bleed to death. Finally, shark meat is often highly contaminated with mercury and other toxins. For these reasons, it is best to avoid ordering sharks from a restaurant.
Vietnamese Catfish
When most people think of catfish, they think of the whiskered bottom-dwellers that inhabit freshwater rivers and lakes. However, Vietnamese catfish, or Trai cay, is a type of catfish that is typically farmed in brackish water ponds and then sold to restaurants. Unfortunately, these fish are often in conditions far from ideal, which can pose a severe health risk to consumers.
The FDA has warned that Vietnamese catfish may be contaminated with drugs not approved for use in the United States, and there have been reports of people suffering from severe allergic reactions after eating the fish. In addition, Vietnamese catfish are often mislabeled as other types of fish, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are eating.
Swordfish
Swordfish is a popular seafood dish, often lauded for its hearty flavor and meaty texture. However, there are a few reasons why you might want to think twice before ordering swordfish at a restaurant. For one thing, swordfish populations have declined sharply in recent years due to overfishing. As a result, the fish are now “at risk.” In addition, swordfish are often caught using controversial practices such as “longlining,” which can result in the accidental capture and death of other marine animals.
And that’s not the only reason, as swordfish can also be quite high in mercury. The FDA advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children avoid eating swordfish entirely. So unless you’re sure that the swordfish on the menu is from a sustainable source and is low in mercury, it’s best to choose another fish.
Red Snapper
If you’re a seafood lover, you’ve probably ordered red snapper at a restaurant. But did you know that there’s a good chance you weren’t eating red snapper? One study found that 59% of the time, restaurants mislabel cheaper, less desirable fish as red snapper. So what’s the big deal? Well, for one thing, mislabeling fish is misleading and deceptive. But more importantly, it can also have severe implications for your health.
Red snapper is an example of a nutritious, low-mercury fish. But if you’re eating a different type of fish, you may expose yourself to higher levels of mercury than you bargained for. So next time you want to order red snapper from a restaurant, think twice. You may not be getting what you expect.
Chilean Sea Bass
When it comes to seafood, there are a lot of choices out there. But if you’re looking for a sustainable and environmentally friendly option, Chilean sea bass is not the way. Although it’s often a luxury item, the truth is that Chilean sea bass is an overfished species in danger of being wiped out. Not only that, but the methods used to catch Chilean sea bass are often destructive to other marine life and habitats.
So when you order Chilean sea bass at a restaurant, you’re not just supporting an unsustainable industry but also contributing to the decline of an entire ecosystem. The next time you’re in the mood for seafood, make a smarter choice and order something else. There are plenty of delicious and sustainable options – and your taste buds will thank you.
Bluefin Tuna
Bluefin tuna is one of the most sought-after fish in the world. Prized for their flavorful flesh, they are a popular choice among sushi lovers. Most bluefin tuna caught are sold to Japanese buyers, who are willing to pay top dollar for the fish. However, there is growing concern over the sustainability of bluefin tuna stocks. As a result, many fisheries are targeting bluefin tuna, contributing to the overfishing of the species.
In addition, bluefin tuna are often caught using methods that result in a high number of bycatch, such as longlines and purse seines, which means that for every single tuna caught, several other species are also killed in the process. For these reasons, avoiding ordering bluefin tuna from restaurants is essential. Doing so can help protect this vulnerable species and ensure that it remains a part of the ocean for generations to come.
There Are Just Some Fish You Should Never Order!
When it comes to seafood, there are a lot of different factors to consider. But if you’re looking for the most sustainable and environmentally friendly option, there are some fish you should avoid. It would be best if you also were wary of what is inside the fish you order. Some restaurants are known to mislabel their seafood, and others have fish high in toxins. So the next time you’re at a restaurant, think twice before ordering any of these fish. Your health – and the health of the oceans – will thank you.
