The typical recipe in Thailand is a matter of debate. Research shows that the dish known as khoi pla has a high potential for cancer – even small portions can cause concern.

The dish consists of raw fish, ground with a mixture of herbs, seasonings and lemon juice. It is very popular in the poorest areas of the country, especially in the Khon Kaen region.

The recipe can cause liver cancer – Photo: R7/REPRODUCTION/TWITTER/@TOROOOSZN/DIVULGAÇÃO/ND

The problem itself is not the ingredients, but the fact that the fish contains countless live parasitic worms. They are responsible for causing liver cancer, one of the types that causes the most deaths if not treated correctly.

The carcinogenic dish is estimated to be responsible for more than 20,000 deaths in the country every year. Now doctors have started warning the population to stop eating the delicacy.

“There is a huge health burden here. But no one knows this because they die quietly, like leaves falling from a tree,” liver surgeon Narong Khuntyekyo told Agence France-Presse.

Retrain residents due to cancer risk

Along with a team of researchers, Huntikeo analyzed urine samples from the local population and found that about 80% of people in the community had ingested the deadly parasite.

Since then, the specialist has partnered with local authorities to re-educate the region’s residents, as well as to develop a school curriculum that teaches children about the risks of a raw food diet.