Three diners in Japan remain hospitalized after eating blowfish baubles, known as fugu, prepared by an unauthorized chef in Tsuruoka city, on the northwest coast of Japan about 85 miles northwest of Tokyo.
Seven men reportedly ordered sashimi and grilled blowfish 'nads at a chef-owned eatery Monday night. Though fugu is poisonous, it's safe if properly prepared by a trained, licensed handler. Fugu's hint-o-death raises its excitement profile, and the maritime knapsacks to the hereafter are sought out by culinary thrill-seekers.
Shortly after eating the fugu, the patrons developed paralysis in the limbs and difficulty breathing, possible signs that something was amiss.
They were beginning to lose consciousness when they were taken to the hospital, which treated them for tetrodotoxin poisoning. Three of them, a 55-year-old, 68-year-old and 69-year-old, remain hospitalized, one in critical condition.
