Container turned away from Felixstowe after inspectors find tongue eating parasites

The Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority made the discovery at the Port of Felixstowe

Cymothoa exigua parasites were discovered by inspectors in imported fish
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 23rd Jun 2022

Health inspectors have turned a container full of fish away from the Port of Felixstowe after it was found to contain tongue eating parasites.

The Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority (SCPHA) made the discovery, finding a consignment of seabream infected with Cymothoa exigua, or 'tougue eating louse'

The parasites spread by eating the tongues of fish. They then remain in the mouth to feast on whatever the fish is eating.

Inspectors first noticed something was wrong when the importer failed to complete the correct paperwork.

It's now been returned to where it came from.

Parasites removed from infected fish

Danut Cazacu, a vet working at the SCPHA, said:

“Cases such as these are clear reminders of why we work hard to investigate imports and ensure they’re safe for human consumption.

“Many goods pass our health checks without presenting risks, but we sometimes receive unacceptable consignments and must be ready for anything.”

“Investigations are carried out at our discretion, so when we detect something is wrong, we can have more of the consignment unloaded for further examination.

“After checking more cartons, it was apparent that most of the seabream were infested, so we denied the consignment’s entry into the UK.

"From there the importer can choose to have it destroyed or sent back to them, and in this case they chose the latter.”

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