Which parts of fish, poultry, and livestock should not be eaten
Eating only the same few cuts of meat from animals can get tiresome over time. Nowadays, people go to great lengths to prepare and serve a variety of parts from livestock, poultry, and fish on the dining table. However, some parts should absolutely not be eaten, as they can affect human health and even lead to food poisoning.
Fish "Black Skin": Most fish have a black membrane on both sides of their abdominal cavity. This is the most fishy and earthy-tasting part of the fish, containing large amounts of histamine, lipids, and lysozyme. Ingesting histamine by mistake can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Pig's Blood Neck: This refers to the bloody part below the neck, which is mostly lymph nodes and fat. This area contains significantly more harmful substances and pathogenic microorganisms than other parts. Additionally, the meat nodules on a pig's neck, known as "meat jujubes," should not be eaten. When consuming, these gray, yellow, or dark-red nodules should be removed because they contain many bacteria and viruses, which can easily lead to disease if eaten. The same applies to cattle and sheep. There is a folk belief that sow meat, especially the sow's teats, should not be eaten. This is not scientifically based. It's just that sow meat tends to be tougher and is rarely used in home cooking.
Chicken Head and Comb: The comb in particular should not be eaten. There is a Chinese proverb: "A ten-year-old chicken's head is more potent than arsenic." Why does the toxicity of a chicken's head increase with its age? This is because chickens ingest harmful heavy metals while pecking, and these metals accumulate in the head over time.
Chicken and Duck Necks: This part has very little meat, but the blood vessels and lymph glands are relatively concentrated. It's fine to eat it occasionally as a treat, but it's important to eat it without the skin, as lymph glands and other detoxifying glands are concentrated in the subcutaneous fat of the neck. Some people习惯 to bite through duck necks, but be careful not to accidentally ingest the trachea inside the neck bone, as the trachea is involved in gas exchange and can easily harbor bacteria.
Chicken or Duck Tail: Also known as "chicken butt" or "chisper." It refers to the area at the top of the tail of poultry like chickens, ducks, and geese. The meat is fatty and tender, and its scientific name is "cloacal bursa." This area is where lymph glands are concentrated. The macrophages in the lymph glands can ingest bacteria, viruses, and even carcinogens, but they cannot break them down, so they accumulate in the tail. The tail is like a repository for all kinds of filth.
Sheep's Suspended Tendon: Also known as "hoof pearl," it grows between the hoof joints and is a viral tissue resulting from a disease in the sheep's hoof. It is usually串珠-shaped and should be removed before consumption.