Chef poisoned after eating 'fugu'
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
A young cook licensed to prepare the deadly fugu, or blowfish, fell seriously ill last week after eating potentially lethal liver he cooked himself, believing it was safe, Tokyo officials said Wednesday.
The cook, aged in his 30s, has been certified for five years and works at a restaurant in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.
He lost consciousness for about two days after taking a bite of steamed liver he had prepared during a practice session on Oct. 11, metropolitan government officials said.
Liver, ovaries and other fugu organs contain the deadly chemical tetrodotoxin.
The cook regained consciousness and is recovering, the officials said, adding he was unlikely to be disciplined, as an ordinance on handling fugu does not cover cases in which cooks prepare the fish for themselves.
"If we could have our way, we would like to revoke his license for such stupidity," a metropolitan official said.(IHT/Asahi: October 17,2008)
