Former Big Brother Naija housemate and medical doctor Tjay has raised concerns about the safety of shawa fish, warning that the popular dried seafood could contain potentially harmful contaminants.
In a video shared online, Tjay identified the whitish substance sometimes found on the fish as mould and raised concerns about possible contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals associated with cancer risks.
He also mentioned heavy metals among the potential contaminants, describing shawa fish as one of the more concerning dried fish products consumed in Nigeria.
According to him, soaking the fish in water does not necessarily eliminate the substances, despite the common practice of using the method before adding it to meals.
“Guys, see this shawa, this dry fish is one of the most toxic fishes that we eat in the country,” he said.
Tjay further advised consumers to soak the fish for at least an hour before removing its head and skin.
He claimed that approximately 50 per cent of the toxins were concentrated in the head, although he did not provide research findings to support the figure.
The doctor also recommended choosing smaller-sized shawa fish, arguing that they contained lower levels of potentially harmful substances.
“The tiny ones are less toxic,” he added.
His warning has drawn attention to food safety concerns surrounding the processing, storage and consumption of dried fish commonly used in Nigerian cooking.
