Seafood expert warns against consuming unsafe freshwater snails

A seafood expert with over 10 years of experience, Mr. Tu from Fuzhou, China, has identified specific signs to help consumers avoid dangerous freshwater snails. Consuming low-quality snails from rivers, ponds, or lakes can pose significant health risks.

Key warning signs include:

- Abnormal Odors: Snails with a strong, pungent, or foul smell are likely decomposing. This process produces toxic amines and histamine, which can cause acute poisoning, nausea, and allergic reactions. Such snails also harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Vibrio cholerae.

- Lack of Reflexes: Healthy snails will close their shells when touched. Snails that remain open or do not respond to touch are either dead or exhausted. Eating these increases the risk of consuming parasites such as liver flukes (Fasciola gigantica) and intestinal worms.

- Buoyancy: Healthy, fat freshwater snails typically sink when placed in water, whereas unhealthy ones may float.