Fish is a nutritious food source, providing high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids and many essential vitamins and minerals. However, prolonged humid rainy weather can increase the risk of food contamination or spoilage if preservation, transportation and processing are not guaranteed.
Nutrition expert Edwina Raj - Head of Clinical Nutrition and Diet Services at Aster CMI Hospital (Bangalore, India) - said that eating fish in the rainy season will be safe if the product is still fresh, properly preserved and cooked thoroughly.
The rainy season with high humidity often increases the risk of food spoilage if preservation is not guaranteed. Prolonged rainy weather can also affect the process of exploitation, transportation and storage, making it difficult to maintain the freshness of the product as in normal conditions.
Changes in the water environment during the rainy season also affect the quality of aquatic products in some farming and exploitation areas. Therefore, consumers need to pay attention to choosing products with clear origins, fresh and hygienically preserved.
The risk to health mainly stems from using fish that is no longer fresh or undercooked. This can lead to food poisoning, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and other digestive disorders. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems are subjects that need special caution.
To minimize risks, consumers should choose fish from reputable establishments, ensuring hygiene conditions and suitable cold storage. Fresh fish usually have transparent eyes, pinkish-red gills, firm meat and no strange smell. After purchase, it is necessary to store in the refrigerator and process as soon as possible.
During preliminary processing, it is necessary to wash hands, knives, cutting boards and tools in contact with live fish to avoid cross-infection. Most importantly, the fish needs to be cooked thoroughly to kill bacteria, parasites and other pathogens. Raw or rare fish dishes should be limited in use during the rainy season.
Eating fish in the rainy season is not a taboo. The important thing is to choose fresh food, preserve it properly and process it carefully before use. Complying with food safety principles will help take advantage of the nutritional value of fish while limiting the risk of affecting health.
