Escolar

Short description: Species of fish

Escolar

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]

Scientific classification
Kingdom:  | Animalia
Phylum:  | Chordata
Class:  | Actinopterygii
Order:  | Scombriformes
Family:  | Gempylidae
Genus:  | Lepidocybium
T. N. Gill, 1862
Species:  |

L. flavobrunneum

Binomial name
Lepidocybium flavobrunneum

(A. Smith, 1843)

Synonyms

* Cybium flavobrunneum A. Smith, 1843
* Xenogramma carinatum Waite, 1904
* Nesogrammus thompsoni Fowler, 1923
* Lepidosarda retigramma Kishinouye, 1926
* Diplogonurus maderensis Noronha, 1926

The escolar, Lepidocybium flavobrunneum, a species of fish in the family Gempylidae, is found in deep (200-885 metres, or 656-2,904 ft) tropical and temperate waters around the world. It is also known as snake mackerel, walu walu (Hawaiian, sometimes written waloo), and is sometimes sold as "butterfish" or "white tuna".[2]

## Contents

* 1 Biology
* 2 Health effects
* 3 Mislabeling
* 4 Regulation and banning
* 5 References

## Biology

The escolar is dark brown, growing darker with age until it is quite black. It is a fast-swimming fish with a prominent lateral keel and four to six finlets after the anal and second dorsal fins.[3] Escolar can grow to over 2 metres (7 ft) in length. Like its relative the oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus), escolar cannot metabolize the wax esters (gempylotoxin) naturally found in its diet. This gives the escolar an oil content of 14–25% in its flesh.

## Health effects

The escolar's wax ester content can cause keriorrhea (Greek: flow of wax), also called gempylotoxism or gempylid fish poisoning.[4] Symptoms range from stomach cramps to rapid loose bowel movements, occurring 30 minutes to 36 hours following consumption.[5] This condition may also be referred to as steatorrhea.[6]

Two known ways to reduce the likelihood of escolar-induced keriorrhea are to limit portions to 170 grams (6 oz) or less[7] and to consume portions close to the tail, which typically have a lower wax ester content. Reports conflict on whether deep skinning, freezing or grilling will reduce the likelihood of keriorrhea.[8]

## Mislabeling

Escolar can be mislabeled in both restaurants and at fish markets. In 2009, tuna samples from sushi restaurants in New York City and Denver were DNA tested. Five of nine restaurants serving fish labeled "white tuna", "white tuna (albacore)" or "super white tuna" were actually serving escolar.[9] From 2010 to 2013, a study by Oceana, an ocean preservation organization, tested over 114 samples of tuna, and found that 84% of the white tuna samples were actually escolar.[10]

Oceana claims that escolar has been mislabeled or otherwise confused with the following fish: Atlantic cod, oilfish (related to escolar but in a different genus), rudderfish, blue cod, black cod, king tuna, grouper, orange roughy, sea bass, gemfish, Chilean sea bass, albacore tuna, and white tuna.[11]

Oceana claims that this mislabeling, whether by ignorance or deceit, is more hazardous than the mislabeling of other fish due to the potential health effects of escolar.[12]

## Regulation and banning

Italy and Japan have banned the sale of escolar due to its potential side effects. It has been banned for consumption in Japan since 1977, as the Japanese government considers it toxic.[13][14] In 1999, the Swedish and Danish national food administrations informed fish trade associations and fish importing companies about the problems escolar and related fish could cause if not prepared properly and issued recommendations.

In early 2007, after a public outcry, receiving consumer complaints about mislabeled fish and conducting an investigation,[15] the Hong Kong government's Centre for Food Safety recommended escolar not be used for catering purposes, advised clear labeling and identification of fish species before sale, and purchase of fish from reliable sources, and recommended consumers become aware of the possible health effects of consumption of escolar, oilfish, and related species. The Hong Kong government has established a working group composed of members of the academia, trade and consumer group to prepare guidelines for assisting the trade and consumers in identifying relevant species of fish.

In the United States, the FDA, after receiving complaints about diarrhea associated with escolar consumption, issued a bulletin recommending against import of the fish in the early 1990s. However, the FDA backed away from this recommendation and withdrew the bulletin several years later after deciding the fish was nontoxic and nonlethal. Currently, the FDA informally recommends, "Escolar should not be marketed in interstate commerce."[16]

In mid-2007, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, after investigating cases of diarrhea caused by mislabeled fish, decided not to ban escolar or oilfish, but instead issued a fact sheet[17] noting the potential adverse effects of consumption and recommending consumers speak with their retailer, verify fish species and consume the fish in small portion sizes using preparation methods that reduce oil content.

Hawaiian State Representative James Tokioka introduced HB2669, a bill aimed at banning the catch, sale or possession of escolar.[18] HB2669 was deferred on February 1, 2010.[19]

## References

1. ↑ Smith-Vaniz, W.F.; Williams, J.; Pina Amargos, F.; Curtis, M.; Grijalba Bendeck, L. (2015). "Lepidocybium flavobrunneum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T190287A16510672. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190287A16510672.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/190287/16510672. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. ↑ Mims, Christopher (2013-02-22). "59% of the 'Tuna' Americans eat is Not Tuna". The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/02/59-of-the-tuna-americans-eat-is-not-tuna/273410/.
3. ↑ "Escolar, Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849)". Australian Museum. http://australianmuseum.net.au/Escolar-Lepidocybium-flavobrunneum-Smith-1849.
4. ↑ [1]
5. ↑ "Centre for Food Safety". Cfs.gov.hk. 2007-03-27. http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fstr/whatsnew_fstr_15_oilfish.html.
6. ↑ "Steatorrhea: Causes, symptoms, and treatment" (in en). 2017-12-19. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320361.
7. ↑ Kathryn Hill (2008-10-21). "Use Caution When Eating Escolar". The Kitchn. http://www.thekitchn.com/use-caution-when-eating-escola-66602.
8. ↑ "Keriorrhea: Symptoms, causes, treatment, and more" (in en). 2020-10-22. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/keriorrhea.
9. ↑ Lowenstein, Jacob H.; Amato, George; Kolokotronis, Sergios-Orestis (2009-11-18). "The Real maccoyii: Identifying Tuna Sushi with DNA Barcodes – Contrasting Characteristic Attributes and Genetic Distances". PLOS ONE 4 (11): e7866. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007866. PMID 19924239.
10. ↑ "National Seafood Fraud Testing Results Highlights". Oceana Report. 2013-02-21. http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/National_Seafood_Fraud_Testing_Results_Highlights_FINAL.pdf.
11. ↑ "Escolar: The World's Most Dangerous Fish // Medellitin". Blog.medellitin.com. 2010-07-22. http://blog.medellitin.com/2008/12/escolar-world-most-dangerous-fish.html.
12. ↑ "Annex 2 - Seafood References for Managing Food Safety: A Manual for the Voluntary Use of HACCP Principles for Operators of Food Service and Retail Establishments". Fda.gov. 2013-07-19. https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/HACCP/ucm078063.htm.
13. ↑ Burros, Marian (March 10, 1999). "A Fish Puts Chefs in a Quandary". New York Times. https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=950DE2D7113FF933A25750C0A96F958260.
14. ↑ [2]
15. ↑ "Centre for Food Safety". Cfs.gov.hk. http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/whatsnew/whatsnew_fa/whatsnew_fa_15_oilfish.html.
16. ↑ "Annex 2 - Seafood References for Managing Food Safety: A Manual for the Voluntary Use of HACCP Principles for Operators of Food Service and Retail Establishments". Fda.gov. 2014-07-14. https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/HACCP/ucm078063.htm.
17. ↑ "Escolar and Adverse Reactions". Hc-sc.gc.ca. 2008-02-15. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/facts-faits/escolar-escolier-eng.php.
18. ↑ "HB2669.DOC". Capitol.hawaii.gov. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/Bills/HB2669_.HTM.
19. ↑ "Hawaii State Legislature". Capitol.hawaii.gov. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2669.

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