Foodborne IllnessQuestion 14 of 240
Ciguatera poisoning is associated with eating certain large predatory reef fish (such as barracuda or grouper). What makes it difficult to prevent in the kitchen?
a.The toxin is destroyed only by freezing
b.It only affects farmed fish
c.Ciguatoxin is heat-stable and cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, and cooking does not destroy it
d.It forms only when fish is stored above 140°F
Explanation
Ciguatoxin accumulates in large reef predators through the food chain and is heat-stable, odorless, and tasteless, so cooking and normal inspection cannot make the fish safe. The main defense is purchasing fish from approved, reputable suppliers who avoid implicated species and harvest areas. It is unrelated to storage temperature or farming.
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