Should the mucous membrane on the fish body be removed?

Many people say that the slime layer on the fish body is a breeding ground for bacteria, is dirty and smells like mud. When preparing it, should I remove it to make the dish cleaner? (Ngoc, 29 years old, Hanoi ).

Reply:

Many people think that fish skin is fatty, rich in fat and nutrients. However, the outer part of the fish skin is covered by a layer of mucus - which contains a large amount of bacteria and dirt. This mucus layer has no nutrients, it only helps fish swim faster, such as catfish. This mucus layer is often in contact with dirt and bacteria in the environment.

When preparing, you can use a knife to scrape off the mucus layer and then rinse with clean water, helping to clean the fish and remove the fishy smell. Inside the fish's belly, there is also a black membrane, consisting of dirt and mud accumulated during the process of the fish breathing and eating, so it should also be cleaned.

Clean processed fish can be preserved longer, can be soaked in salt water to clean it better. Do not soak in hot water.

Other types of seafood are also at risk of bacterial and microbial contamination and should be cleaned before eating to ensure hygiene.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh
Former staff of Institute of Biotechnology and Food, Hanoi University of Science and Technology

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