Escolar Sashimi: It Is No Accident!
Escolar Sashimi: It Is No Accident!
Has anyone ever told you that eating a certain type of food will make you sick? Mostly what they mean is that down the road, that pizza you just ate may cause you some kind of health problem. But there are foods that can make you sick shortly after eating them.
I am not even talking about food that has gone bad, but something that people often eat fresh. Escolar, also known as Oilfish, is a type of fish that many consider to be quite tasty — but in truth it is not good for you. Being a popular fish in some circles, it is common to find escolar in restaurants, especially sushi bars. Even where it is openly served, you should always take caution while eating this fish.
🎥 Watch our seafood education videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel
Why Escolar Makes You Sick
The main issue with escolar is that it has a very high oil content within its flesh. Unfortunately, we have been trained to believe that all fish oils are good for us — but not all fish oils are omega-3 oils. Escolar is full of what are called wax-esters. These are a type of oil that is indigestible — the human stomach cannot absorb them and instead attempts to flush them from the system.
The result is that the consumer may experience a mild to severe case of steatorrhea. In plain terms: a very bad case of diarrhea. This onset can be so rapid that symptoms may appear within an hour of eating escolar. The way the wax-esters are flushed through the body can result in anal leakage and accidental soiling. The steatorrhea can last from 2 to 36 hours, depending on how much was consumed and individual variation.
Most people chalk this up to basic food poisoning — but if you have these symptoms every time you eat sushi at a particular restaurant, you may now know the reason why.
Escolar vs. Tuna: The Labeling Fraud Problem
It is not as simple as just not ordering escolar. Escolar is one of the most common subjects of food labeling fraud in the US and worldwide. The main reason is that escolar is relatively cheap, and many consumers cannot tell the difference between escolar and tuna by appearance alone. Escolar has been known to fraudulently replace dozens of fish species.
The following are examples of fish that escolar is commonly disguised as or sold under:
- Albacore Tuna
- Waloo
- Chilean Sea Bass
- Grouper
- King Tuna (Bluefin Tuna)
- Black Cod (Sablefish)
- Butterfish
- Blue Cod
- Rudderfish
- Pacific Cod
- Atlantic Cod
It is usually a less-than-reputable or budget establishment that may pull the wool over your eyes and serve you escolar instead of the fish you ordered. But it is a widespread issue — in 2009, 5 out of 9 New York restaurants that served "Albacore Tuna" were actually serving escolar. Sometimes the chefs themselves may not know they are receiving mislabeled product, but most of the time it is the business attempting to profit from a bait-and-switch tactic.
So if you experience digestive symptoms every time you eat at your favorite sushi spot, you should seriously consider the possibility that you may not be eating what you actually ordered.
The Broader Risk: Allergies and Anaphylaxis
For most people, the only major consequence of escolar labeling fraud is an unexpected and unpleasant bathroom emergency. But there are more serious risks. With labeling fraud, a consumer may accidentally consume a type of fish they are allergic to. Most people in this situation may break out in a rash — but some may have a more serious reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis and potentially death.
Even with this risk, the FDA has historically declined to aggressively pursue cases of mislabeled seafood, citing limited enforcement resources. This makes consumer awareness the primary line of defense.
What Should You Do?
First, try to avoid establishments you suspect of such practices. If you experience symptoms of steatorrhea, take note of where you ate. If the symptoms recur after eating at the same place, avoid that restaurant.
There are also guidelines you can follow to reduce the risk if you do consume escolar:
- Limit your portion to 6 oz or less — smaller portions reduce the amount of wax-esters consumed
- Eat the meat closest to the tail — the tail section has a lower concentration of wax-esters than the belly
- Cooking and storage have no effect — the wax-esters in escolar are not broken down by heat, freezing, or any preparation method
Be warned: even with these precautions, you are still at risk of having an accident after eating escolar. The safest approach is to avoid it entirely and to source your seafood from reputable suppliers who can verify the species of fish they are selling.
Shop Verified, Properly Labeled Seafood at Global Seafoods
When it comes to premium-quality seafood, nothing beats the confidence of knowing exactly what you're eating. Global Seafoods sources wild-caught seafood with full species transparency.
- 🔗 Sablefish (Black Cod) — rich, buttery, and packed with omega-3s; a common escolar substitute target
- 🔗 Pacific Cod Fillets
- 🔗 Tuna Collection — sushi-grade and fresh tuna, properly labeled
- 🔗 Whitefish Collection
- 🔗 Fresh & Frozen Fish Selections
- 🔗 Alaskan Red King Crab Legs
🎥 Watch seafood preparation and education videos on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel
Related Products
Also in News
The Dark Years of Pacific Salmon: A 20-Year Outlook for Alaska, Russia, and the Red Caviar Market
King Crab Legs Delivery: Is It Worth It? Exploring the Benefits and Best Options
Understanding Beluga Caviar Price: What Makes It So Expensive?
Shop Now
Main
