Guangdong fish vendor warns against four unsafe fish types

A fish stallholder with nearly 30 years of experience in a wholesale market in Guangdong, China, says that not all fresh‑looking fish are safe to eat. She identifies four groups of fish that should be avoided: those with swollen bellies, cloudy eyes and loose scales, which indicate bacterial decay; fish that emit an oily, chemical or disinfectant smell, a sign of heavy‑metal contamination or the use of formaldehyde as a preservative; fish that have been dead for a long time and show signs of spoilage; and any fish that have been treated with artificial fresh‑keeping chemicals. The vendor advises shoppers to choose fish with clear eyes, bright red gills, firmly attached scales and a normal sea‑water scent. She warns that formaldehyde exposure can irritate skin, eyes and the stomach lining and may increase long‑term health risks.