ADVERTISEMENT
In Japan, only licensed chefs who complete 2–3 years of rigorous training and pass a demanding exam are allowed to prepare fugu. They meticulously remove toxic organs, leaving only safe muscle meat.
Even then, mistakes happen. On average, 20–50 poisonings occur annually in Japan, with a fatality rate of about 60%—adding up to over 200 deaths globally per year, including cases from unregulated preparation in other countries.