Fish called BASA - Is it safe?

[Fastpedeller]

As title.... My Wife got some fish called Basa from supermarket last week - I reckon it's the best tasting fish I've had in a long time. Looking on the 'net for more info I found 'horror reports' that it's from the polluted water in Vietnam, and banned in USA. I'm unsure if the historic USA/Vietnam conflict has any influence in the banning decision? It says on the packet all the usual certified sustainable etc - but does that mean it's safe? Are uk foods tested to be safe? (I should, but don't know what testing happens with what I eat!). Sea source fish may have a bit of a question mark re the plastics in the oceans, but I'm drifting off subject now
Anyway - what's the concensus...... Is BASA safe?

[2gins]

You're definitely going to die, all that agent orange the yanks dropped is still leaching out into the rivers in Vietnam and the river fish are a liability. I ate one in Vietnam in 2012 and died a few days later.

HTH

[citizensm1th]

I don't know but if when you go to bed tonight and you switch off the lights and it doesn't get any darker you know you have a problem.

[soad]

Depends where and how it was farmed? Importer's website might have some info.

If in doubt, eat locally caught fish.

[wisbech]

It is catfish

The reason the US banned Vietnam imports was because it is a widely farmed fish in the US as well, and the fish Farmers claimed dumping - nothing to do with safety

No idea why it is called Basa not catfish...presumably to make it sound more exotic

It is a bottom feeding scavenger fish, which some people don’t like.

[Vinnie the Panda]

I should imagine its relatively safe, its available in supermarkets. It comes down to personal choice, do you trust the Mekong Delta is non toxic or not. Me, well I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, if you fancy a cheap white fish give Pollock or Coley a try.

[21TonyK]

wisbech said:

It is catfish

The reason the US banned Vietnam imports was because it is a widely farmed fish in the US as well, and the fish Farmers claimed dumping - nothing to do with safety

No idea why it is called Basa not catfish...presumably to make it sound more exotic

It is a bottom feeding scavenger fish, which some people don’t like.

Exactly this. It's widely used in the UK and across the world as a generic "white fish" in processed fish products.

[PositronicRay]

Vinnie the Panda said:

I should imagine its relatively safe, its available in supermarkets. .

That inspires me with every confidence.

[OldGermanHeaps]

PositronicRay said:

That inspires me with every confidence.

Supermarkets are dependable they often get their meats from stable sources.

[ReallyReallyGood]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Supermarkets are dependable they often get their meats from stable sources.

[Truckosaurus]

Isn't Basa one of the species that gets grown in large plastic tanks in indoor fish farms?

As for being safe, I would suggest that any fish legally imported into the UK (currently) will be regulated and inspected.

[theplayingmantis]

isnt Basa the one that they keep in water enclosures under their houses/huts on stilts and the fish feed on the effluent that drops straight out of the pooper?

[Lynchie999]

i had it ages ago... i'm still alive... its some sort of catfish...

[cbmotorsport]

River Cobbler. It's been around for years. Pretty generic white fish. I find it a bit tasteless, but it's cheap and plentiful.

[AJB88]

Draw up your will quickly!










I have it quite often, nothing wrong with it.

[aka_kerrly]

It's also known as Pangash/Pangas fish to, it's a catfish relative that is farmed on a massive scale in Vietnam & Cambodia.

I've been supplying it to a few schools and not had any complaints when it's a couple of quid a kilo.

[Lynchie999]

just read they grow to 3m long!

[brrapp]

I find it fairly ridiculous that a country such as ours, surrounded by the best seafood in the world imports bland farmed scavenger fish from the other side of the world. But we do, and it'll be perfectly safe to eat, swaddle in batter and drown in salt and vinegar and you'll hardly be able to tell.

[aka_kerrly]

brrapp said:

I find it fairly ridiculous that a country such as ours, surrounded by the best seafood in the world imports bland farmed scavenger fish from the other side of the world.

EU quotas

[SpeckledJim]

OldGermanHeaps said:

PositronicRay said:

That inspires me with every confidence.

Supermarkets are dependable they often get their meats from stable sources.

Did me neigh harm whatsoever.