The Prime Minister has recently issued a directive prohibiting the processing and sale of blood pudding from livestock and poultry nationwide.
Eating Blood Pudding: A Crafty Affair
In the late afternoon, on Xuan Hong Street in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, the streets are bustling with people and vehicles. Locals familiar with the area know a restaurant specializing in duck dishes, where the first item on the menu is always blood pudding. The plate of blood pudding served at the table is visually appealing, making one salivate at first glance. In other places, there are also variations like pig blood pudding (though lately it has to be from free-range pigs!), goat blood pudding, dog blood pudding, and even cat blood pudding… Despite recent outbreaks of avian influenza leading to reduced consumption of ducks, geese, and other poultry, many still crave the blood pudding from pigs, goats, dogs, cats, birds, and so on!
Some people have tried to hold back their cravings for a while but eventually resorted to seeking Tamiflu beforehand, taking a pill and then indulging anyway! They may not fully understand the dangers associated with blood pudding or choose to ignore them due to “out of sight, out of mind”! The lack of control over the source of sick animals… is a given; many don’t even realize that bacteria, viruses, and toxic dust can easily enter the food due to flies and the potential for saliva contamination from previous customers. Eating cold dishes, including blood pudding in the evening, can lead to serious consequences, yet they continue to indulge without a care!
Blood pudding is typically made from the blood of ducks, geese, pigs, cows, goats, and dogs… Sometimes a bit of strong liquor is added to fresh blood to mask the odor and “enhance the flavor.” The key is to only consume blood that is freshly drawn from the artery. If the puncture is not done correctly and the blood merely oozes out or drips, it should not be consumed. It is a common practice among Vietnamese people to eat blood pudding with herbs and chili. Folklore suggests that blood pudding has a cooling effect (it can chill the stomach), hence the use of chili to counteract this; while herbs help eliminate the fishy smell due to their antibacterial properties.
Many legends surround the dish of blood pudding. In Jin Yong’s “The Eight Dragon Slayers,” the character Dong Mo has the ability to rejuvenate every 30 years (like a snake shedding its skin). After shedding, she must regularly drink fresh blood to quickly restore her vitality. Hence, it is often said, “eating blood nourishes the blood”! This aligns with the folk belief that “you are what you eat,” but this doesn’t mean eating brains will enhance brain function or consuming kidneys will improve “that part” of the body. Restaurants specializing in “wild cuisine” still prepare sparrow and snake blood right in front of diners, claiming it boosts vitality.
If prepared hygienically, blood pudding can be a delicious dish, rich in nutrients, especially protein. The blood itself is safe as long as it comes from healthy, growing animals.
Safe Eating Principles
|
Is Eating Blood Pudding Beneficial or Toxic?
Fresh blood and blood pudding contain live blood, which means it can harbor bacteria. However, cooking it thoroughly can kill pathogens. True, but how many diners actually enjoy eating boiled blood? Fresh blood, blood pudding, and cooked blood are considered nutritious, rich in protein (due to albumin) and beneficial for blood health thanks to hemoglobin (Hb). Hemoglobin’s role is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the organs, which is why arterial blood appears brighter red than venous blood. This explains why drinking fresh blood from arteries is preferable to venous blood.
However, consuming blood pudding must be seasonally appropriate. During hot weather, rabies outbreaks in dogs occur, and at such times, one should absolutely avoid eating dog blood pudding. The rabies virus in live blood can enter the body through wounds, especially if there are issues like gum disease, bleeding gums, or gastric ulcers. Furthermore, during this flu season, any cravings should be curbed, especially for duck and goose. Even goat and pig blood pudding should be avoided, as these animals recently had outbreaks, even if they have been contained.
Why Is There No Chicken Blood Pudding?
Even before the H5N1 avian flu outbreak, no one consumed chicken blood pudding because the lungs and saliva of chickens often contain bacteria that cause coughs (hence the name whooping cough) and meningitis. Chickens also harbor bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli. These bacteria do not harm chickens but can cause typhoid and diarrhea in humans. More alarmingly, strains of Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 and E. coli 0157:H7 have been found in the digestive systems of chickens that have become resistant to antibiotics, including newer drugs in the fluoroquinolone group (ciprofloxacin); these strains are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, and children.
Avoiding Blood Pudding Is No Shame!
There are times when one craves duck blood pudding so much that blood enthusiasts turn to pig blood pudding. Even though there are no outbreaks reported in Ho Chi Minh City, poultry often comes from other provinces, and before the government banned the sale of blood pudding, many locals had already stopped eating it. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially since it is unclear whether avian flu can transmit to other species! However, regardless of the animal, it is wise not to consume blood pudding too frequently or in large amounts due to its relatively high salt content and the presence of many organ meats, which are not beneficial for the body. For those with diabetes, blood pudding does not raise blood sugar levels, so diabetic individuals can still consume it. To truly benefit from blood, it should be consumed in moderation over several days for the body to utilize it effectively. But be cautious with any type of blood pudding; you might just end up with an upset stomach!
Dr. Thuong Vu – Ho Chi Minh City Nutrition Center
