Published Winter 2007

How many Kashrus Kurrents readers have heard this true Jewish fish tale?  In the early 1900’s, when it was customary for Jewish housewives to make homemade gefilte fish, a very important food safety issue came to light.  Diphyllobothrium latum, a fish tapeworm, was identified in the intestines of Jewish homemakers.  It was measured at 30 feet and had a life span of up to 20 years.  This largest parasite of humans attacked the digestive system of the cooks, who would periodically taste the raw concoction of ground freshwater fish to ensure the correct mix of salt and pepper.  Although not fatal, gastrointestinal symptoms accompanied by increased weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy and fatigue were present for months, until the cause was finally discovered.  In our day, the pernicious anemia that results may more likely be obtained from eating sushi or raw contaminated beef.