Escolar: The World's Most Dangerous Fish
Escolar is the most controversial fish that you are likely to find in your fish market. This firm, white fleshed fish has an incredibly rich flavor, often described as 'succulent', or a fattier version of swordfish. Why so rich? It turns out that Escolar's diet contains food high in wax esters. Wax esters that are really difficult for Escolar to digest. As a result, these esters build up in the fish.
Where is the controversy in a buttery, delicious fish? I would say it is in the laxative like effect it has on a certain percentage of the population. Well, a 'laxative like effect' is how my fish monger described it. Others would describe it as closer to diahhrea. An expert would call it 'keriorrhoea'. Literally translated, it means 'flow of wax'. Oily orange droplets pouring out your pooper. Keriorrhoea occurs because the wax esters in the flesh of the fish pool up in your intestine.
Some reports of Escolar related illness include cramping, nausea, diarrhea, the itis, and other abdominal pains. This could be the result of severe Keriorrhea or could also be Scrombroid poisoning. Escolar related Scromboid (or histimine poisoning) is the result of high levels of histidine being converted to histimine usually as a result of poor storage.
Why would you eat a fish that has such terrible downsides? Two reasons:
CROUCHING ESCOLAR, HIDDEN OILFISH
Apart from all of the poop jokes I wanted to make, what really inspired me to write about Escolar is the lack of credible information on the subject. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency suggests grilling, while Queensland's Health Agency states that cooking method does not matter. It is really confusing because not only is Escolar sold under other names, but other fish are sometimes mislabeled as Escolar. Doing some quick google searches, I created the following chart based on all of the references to escolar and oilfish being sold as other fish. The most common form of Escolar trickery is to be found at your local sushi bar. Any place selling white tuna or 'super white tuna' is more likely than not selling you Escolar. White Tuna can technically be either Albacore Tuna or Escolar. Albacore looks like pale tuna, while Escolar looks strikingly white.
There are a number of reasons for this confusion. Mostly, it is because suppliers and restaurants mislabel fish, either out of ignorance or fraud. Another reason for the confusion is that Gempylidae, the family of fish that both Escolar and Oilfish belong to, has several other names. According to Wikipedia, this family of fish is also called Escolars or Snake Mackerels. I have also seen at least one reference referring to Gempyldae as 'Oilfishes'. This means that the family name and the common species name can be the same. There is also a segment of the population that thinks they were served Oilfish instead of Escolar, and that is what made them sick. However, I haven't seen much scientific literature to back that up. Both fish seem to have about equal chances of making you ill.
HOW NOT TO CRAP YOUR PANTS
So I have a couple of quick tips to reduce the likelihood of getting sick from Escolar. It is mostly gleaned from the Internet, but the most credible source I found was an excerpt of Nick Ruello's Report On The Oil Content, Composition, And The Consumption Of Escolar.
I followed most of the advice above the first (and only) time I prepared Escolar at home. I still had ended up with my own British Petroleum style oil leak, endangering most of the local habitat, with several failed attempts to contain the spill. If you find yourself in this situation:
If you have had any experiences with Escolar or Oilfish, or found anything inaccurate in this post, leave me a comment.
Due to the popularity of this post, I wrote a white tuna survival guide. If you liked this post, please share it via one of the methods below.
Where is the controversy in a buttery, delicious fish? I would say it is in the laxative like effect it has on a certain percentage of the population. Well, a 'laxative like effect' is how my fish monger described it. Others would describe it as closer to diahhrea. An expert would call it 'keriorrhoea'. Literally translated, it means 'flow of wax'. Oily orange droplets pouring out your pooper. Keriorrhoea occurs because the wax esters in the flesh of the fish pool up in your intestine.
Some reports of Escolar related illness include cramping, nausea, diarrhea, the itis, and other abdominal pains. This could be the result of severe Keriorrhea or could also be Scrombroid poisoning. Escolar related Scromboid (or histimine poisoning) is the result of high levels of histidine being converted to histimine usually as a result of poor storage.
Hong Kong Protest Over Oilfish Sale. |
- Escolar is delicious. Most likely, the same fatty ester in Escolar that makes you sick also makes it taste so damned good.
- Taste the danger! If you enjoy a sense of dining adventure, then consider Escolar the log flume of the culinary world.
CROUCHING ESCOLAR, HIDDEN OILFISH
Apart from all of the poop jokes I wanted to make, what really inspired me to write about Escolar is the lack of credible information on the subject. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency suggests grilling, while Queensland's Health Agency states that cooking method does not matter. It is really confusing because not only is Escolar sold under other names, but other fish are sometimes mislabeled as Escolar. Doing some quick google searches, I created the following chart based on all of the references to escolar and oilfish being sold as other fish. The most common form of Escolar trickery is to be found at your local sushi bar. Any place selling white tuna or 'super white tuna' is more likely than not selling you Escolar. White Tuna can technically be either Albacore Tuna or Escolar. Albacore looks like pale tuna, while Escolar looks strikingly white.
This isn't confusing at all... |
HOW NOT TO CRAP YOUR PANTS
So I have a couple of quick tips to reduce the likelihood of getting sick from Escolar. It is mostly gleaned from the Internet, but the most credible source I found was an excerpt of Nick Ruello's Report On The Oil Content, Composition, And The Consumption Of Escolar.
- Limit Quantity. Obviously, less is more when it comes to Escolar. Conventional wisdom suggests no more than a six (6) ounce portion. I suggest an even smaller amount the first time you try it.
- Tail portion. While oil distribution varies per fish, the cuts near the tail generally have lower ester count.
- Cooking Methods. Don't appear to make a difference. There are some sources that claim grilling will reduce the wax esters but there is at least one scientific report that found this to be untrue. Wax esters are heat stable, so the only potential benefit of grilling is that they somehow leak out of the fish. This can also be achieved by baking the fish on a rack causing the juices, which may or may not contain wax esters to drip into the pan below.
- Deep Skinning. With certain fish, this oil resides just under the skin of the fish. By removing the flesh close to the skin, you can reduce the amount of wax ester. While it is recommended to do remove the skin because of its high oil count, there isn't much evidence that deep skinning will help much.
- Freezing. also does not work. Wax esters are not damaged by cold, even after extended stays in the freezer.
- Fishmonger Trust. Since there are other fish that also contain high level of wax ester, it is best to go to a reputable fishmonger. Also, Escolar has some other toxins that can result in histimine poisoning if the fish isn't stored properly.
- Pre-Existing Conditions. As always, pregnant women have no fun. Also, people with malabsorption or bowel problems should probably just stay away. Unless you find your bathroom comfortable and you dislike your pants.
I followed most of the advice above the first (and only) time I prepared Escolar at home. I still had ended up with my own British Petroleum style oil leak, endangering most of the local habitat, with several failed attempts to contain the spill. If you find yourself in this situation:
- Well it depends. Actually, no it doesn't... wear Depends.
- Replenish your bathroom reading materials.
- Call in sick, or plan your day around proximity to the bathroom.
- Avoid Escolar in the future. The truth is, all you can really do is ride out keriorrhoea. It should only be a couple of days.
Finally, if you developed a case of Keriorrhoea and you didn't knowingly order Escolar, then you should think back the the last time you ate a piece of a mysteriously delicious white fish, and give them a piece of your mind... or a stool sample.
TASTE THE DANGER
Now that you know the risks, and how to reduce the likelihood of soiling your pants/couch/good name, you can now buy escolar from Catalina Offshore, one of the best online providers of sushi grade fish:
TASTE THE DANGER
Now that you know the risks, and how to reduce the likelihood of soiling your pants/couch/good name, you can now buy escolar from Catalina Offshore, one of the best online providers of sushi grade fish:
NOTA MALE
By now it has occurred to you, that sharing a name with this fish is terrible. And this is true. But there is some serendipity between the fish and the author. We are both simultaneously fatty, delicious, and will likely make you sick to your stomach when we are over-consumed.
If you have had any experiences with Escolar or Oilfish, or found anything inaccurate in this post, leave me a comment.
Due to the popularity of this post, I wrote a white tuna survival guide. If you liked this post, please share it via one of the methods below.
I cannot thank you enough for this website! I have experienced this same thing most memorably on vacation after eating fish and it absolutely terrified me! Not only was I scared that I had something awful like cancer, but it caused me extreme anxiety to know that the leakage came with no warning or control. I ate what was called on the menu "arctic char" at a very expensive upscale restaurant/hotel in NYC and two days later experienced what everyone has described. Needless to say the next morning the trip by cab to the airport, security line and flight were most unpleasant. So happy to have solved this mystery, and I don't think I will ever eat fish again! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago I had some Escolar at a local high-end restaurant. It was advertised as Escolar and I had never heard of it before but I'm always willing to try new things. It was absolutely delicious! Little did I know the price I would pay for this meal.
ReplyDeleteAbout 12 hours later, I found myself unable to leave the bathroom for more than 15-20 minutes. I endured this horror for 10 days. Around day 3, even the gentlest baby wipes felt like I was wiping with gasoline-soaked sandpaper. I ended up in the ER on day 6 where they gave me fluids because I was severely dehydrated. They even had to bring me a commode. They gave me some industrial-strength Imodium and put me on the BRAT diet.
This all happened about 8 years ago and my bowels are still not quite right.
AVOID THIS FISH!
Oh...my....gawd. I totally just ate like 9 sashimi pieces of this fish and it was so good I had to google it ._. I have a Calculus final tomorrow morning. Send help.
ReplyDeleteI was browsing round a car boot sale this morn and found two Polish girls selling smoked fish. One of bits of fish was around the size of a 1/2 pound block of butter so I asked the girl what it was and yes - you've guessed it - it was something I'd never heard of - Escolar. I love smoked food and asked her the price. It was £5 but being in my TOG mode I declined.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got home I googled it and found this blog. I am so grateful that my 68 year old ringpiece narrowly escaped an oily meltdown. Escolar? You can stick it up your arse!
I had orange roughy once: It was my Mom Mom's favorite fish and I had never had it before.
ReplyDeleteI experienced the orangy oil after effects : never again
We live in Philippines and buy food from one of the largest chains here. They often have :Gindara" in their fresh fish dept. and the "gindara" is very reasonably priced (around 250 PHP) per kilo. We buy fish (& other meat) there often enough that the people there know I like meat of all kinds cut thicker than the traditional thickness here so will cut to my size requirements.
ReplyDeleteThe last time we bought "gindara" I had them cut 4 steaks about double normal thickness so I got to watch them take fish out of their freezer to cut from. We then took it home, repackaged it into zip lock bags. (1 Steak usually makes a meal for 3 of us.)
We have been doing this now for about 6 months because this is really a beautiful, tasty, and easy to prepare fish that we enjoy and is in-expensive. We are also fortunate that we have never displayed any of the above symptoms (knock on wood), but even if we did, I think we would just add some vitamin C and a large citrus drink before our meal along with plenty of lemon juice on top of it during and after preparation after the first event.
I love this site, and I have to return to it every now and then, just for sh*ts and giggles! I didn't think it was funny when I ate it in Hawaii. The fish was really delicious and I can eat just about anything. So I was surprised, to say the least, when I got up and had to hold my pant legs on the way to the bathroom. I swear that I "googled" orange bowel movement AS I sat on the toilet. Only then, did I know that I was not dying from some disease that makes your crap orange bubble-tea! It's actually as funny as hell now and makes for a great story-AFTER dinner! It's one of those things you should have on your bucket list. Or, at least have a bucket when you eat it! lol
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. World's most dangerous fish? It's POTENTIALLY a mild case of diarrhea at worst. The fact that people are actually protesting this is funny. I've never experienced the side effects in this article but if it keeps the Escolar population from being decimated I say believe everything you hear! More for me.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying escolar for years now and all of a sardine I too have developed a reaction to it which results in my washing-machine having to work overtime! So don't think you've escape tainting - 'tain't so
ReplyDelete!
How is "The World's Most Dangerous Fish" and all it does is give you diahhrea if you ate too much of it?
ReplyDeletePupu Lounge. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteLived in Japan for 15yrs & have never seen or heard of Escolar in a sushi bar. Walu is a fish from Hawaii, USA.
ReplyDeleteNow I live in Ca USA. I came across "white tuna" for the 1st time in a Korean grocery store!!! Now a days sushi joints here in the US are largely owned by Koreans, with Korean sushi chefs,even Mexican sushi chefs!!!
So think twice next time you blame the Japanese & call them "japs"
You deserved anal leakage !!!
Very interesting. Right around 2000 somewhere I was occasionally serving Escolar at my upscale restaurant. Some small portion of the staff who tasted the fish had almost immediate diarrhea. One person broke out in hives. We also had a customer who rushed to the emergency room due to what we thought was a pronounced allergic reaction to their meal (we were assuming it was the accompanying wakimi seaweed salad based on a reported grass allergy). The next morning I spoke to a customer who reported that his wife was ill with extreme stomach cramping and nausea all night while the other two people at the table who tasted her dish had a less severe reaction, and he had no reaction having not tasted it at all. I assumed that they were the victims of scromboid poisoning (a type of hystamine poisoning from elevated levels of histamines in fish, oderless and unaffected by cooking; often the result of decomposition of the fish post mortem due to long line fishing or improper post catch storage/refrigeration).
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Right around 2000 somewhere I was occasionally serving Escolar at my upscale restaurant. Some small portion of the staff who tasted the fish had almost immediate diarrhea. One person broke out in hives. We also had a customer who rushed to the emergency room due to what we thought was a pronounced allergic reaction to their meal (we were assuming it was the accompanying wakimi seaweed salad based on a reported grass allergy). The next morning I spoke to a customer who reported that his wife was ill with extreme stomach cramping and nausea all night while the other two people at the table who tasted her dish had a less severe reaction, and he had no reaction having not tasted it at all. I assumed that they were the victims of scromboid poisoning (a type of hystamine poisoning from elevated levels of histamines in fish, oderless and unaffected by cooking; often the result of decomposition of the fish post mortem due to long line fishing or improper post catch storage/refrigeration).
ReplyDeleteI found this blog after buying the mysterious escolar at my local fish market. I fried it up and ate it anyway, aware of the risks. Apparently, it doesn't affect everyone, and it was a small piece. I did react to it, though, and while my symptoms are pretty minor, they're definitely not worth it. I'll avoid escolar from now on.
ReplyDeleteHere in Indonesia, some says eating Escolar is good for your body, because it helps getting rid of your fat.
ReplyDeleteLittle they know that it wasn't their body fat they were shedding...
Ate a HUGE piece of fish last night, thought it was orange roughy, nope not roughy at all, but It sure was good. Anyway, today didn't go so well and I ended up with some extra laundry to do :( I think I'm going to stay away from fish for quite awhile and I'll definitely never eat so much ever again.
ReplyDeleteIf you are in Ensenada Mexico, or any fish market in Mexico or restaurant for that matter, be wary of purchasing any Mero (black sea bass or grouper) where you can't see the whole fish. They all sell escolar filets as black sea bass or grouper. When you get the screamers you will think it must be food poisening but you can be sure it is from the fake black sea bass. Escolar or oil fish fillets have a texture similar to swordfish or certain types of shark whereas grouper and black seabass are a layered white meat that breaks off in flakes. If you know your fish you can tell immediately. If you have the restaurant bring you out the filet before its cooked you can simply touch the scholar filet and then feel the oily residue on your finger. Black sea bass and grouper will not make your finger feel like you just dipped it in lard. They will assure you it is Chilean sea bass or some other made up fish, but you will know better.
ReplyDeletehere in the Philippines, we call it "malaigit" a dialect for the adjective "similar to LBM". When I was high school we served this fish in a drinking spree to have some fun to those who do not know this kind of fish expecting the effect for several days. ��
ReplyDeleteMy turn! Lol I found this post cause I am a sushi addict. Been eating sushi for over two decades. And last night I had the sushi roll of my LIFE. So went online and was trying to figure out which was the ingredient that made my roll taste better than a $40 ribeye which I would die for. BAM this shows up. Just spent an hour reading this thread lmao I had the escolar @ 9 pm last night. This morning when I woke up early @ 5am for no reason my ass crack felt wierd, like I had used lube. Honestly didn't think anything of it. Wasn't wierd color, just thought fluke of nature or sum such. So halfway into this post took 2000 mg calcium and ate a serving of asparagus. Lmfao. it's past noon the following day only time will tell but nothing yet! The crazy thing is about 4 months ago after ordering sushi from a different restaurant I had that orange poo once. Looked at, it thought holy shit (literally) and waited to see what the next one was like. I have IBS so my shit goes wild every once in a while, never like that but I'M getting older. So ANYWAY time will tell. Everyone take care!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I had a good laugh reading these posts. But only after recovering from consuming escolar unknowingly, last night. The frustrating part is that I ordered "sea bass" in an upscale restaurant. I knew immediately upon "getting sick" in the very early morning hours, that it was most likely escolar instead. I knew this because I'm familiar w/ the symptoms, unfortunately. Many years back I ordered some beautiful white fish sushi that the chef told me was "butter fish." Tasted like butter, looked beautiful. The next morning, I went w/ three of my girlfriends to a wilderness destination to hike for the day. OMG. We arrived at the trailhead when I got the sudden need to find a restroom. Thank you, Jeezuz, there was a port-a-potty just feet away. It saved my life, my pride and the day. Actually, my pride suffered a bit having to explain to the girlfriends why I made them wait 30 minutes for me to return. I did not share the details of my "outhouse" experience, only blaming a bout of GI upset. Thankfully, none of the girls need to use the potty after I did! I had no idea about what was going on at that time, so experienced the same fear as many of the other posters here, that surely, I was dying. I did think at the time that it had to do w/ the sushi I consumed. Luckily, big time luck, my "episode" was complete after the 30 minutes, because I was off on a 3 hour hike with the girlfriends and would have been in bad shape had there been anymore "episodes". Whoo, after reading these posts with folks who had several episodes for entire days, I think I dodged a bullet that day! As soon as I got home safely from the hike, I did some research. I didn't find your post at that time, it may have been more than 6 years ago. But I found enough on the internet to know exactly what happened to me...and that the butter fish was escolar. We went to the sushi place again at a later date, because it really is a great place, but I talked to the chef and verified that they serve escolar. My husband and I both swore off of that tasty fish for life! Or so I thought. Last night I was the victim of being served something that was not what it was marketed as. I paid $31 for "sea bass". It tasted great. Almost too good, and I think I had a subconscious suspicion. The girlfriend we were with also ordered it and I'm checking w/ her now to see how she feels today. I plan on calling the upscale restaurant chain and talking w/ the manager. I'm mostly upset at being sold an expensive type of fish that actually was not. Well, I'm upset about the time I spent in the bathroom this morning, too! Anyway, moving on! Thanks for the good laughs, especially the poster who recommended the cure of ordering a bottle of chardonnay w/ the fish as a preventive measure...with the creative use of the cork! I laughed so hard, I almost had an accident!
ReplyDeleteI am going through that Oil Shit right now; two days after eating from a 5* Star Hotel in Gaborone. My worry is that; why the Hotel should be serving this ... is it taking a ride on the ignorance of the community ... Indeed there is little information out there about escolar... restaurant do not disclose escolar and its side effect...
ReplyDeleteJust finished lunch at a local Korean restaurant that also has a sushi bar. I got their deluxe platter, 8 Maki pieces and a variety of nigiri. One was a delicious white fleshed fish I'd never had before. Asked the lady what it was when I was paying and she told me white tuna. Googled it and here I am.
ReplyDeleteI only had one piece with the escolar, so I'm hoping I'll get to skip out on the effects. Dang it was good.
This comment thread is Internet gold, btw.
As an avid sushi eater - who now realizes he was an unsuspecting victim of a mysterious, super-tasty, white piece of fish - thank you, sir, for making me laugh out loud on a day I didn't think that would be possible.
ReplyDeleteI had a Gindara steak back on Monday night at Abuba steak house in Jakarta, and two days later I experienced this orange oily stuf sprayed all over my butt when I was sitting on toilet at my office. It was so thick and difficult to wash with just water. Ended up using lots and lost of tp to wipe my butt and all tainted in oily orange color.
ReplyDeleteI thought, well this is the end for me. I thought i wasn't gonna be around much longer. Then i googled the oily orange stool and find this godsend article which made the experience a good laugh. Thanks.
And watch out for gindara..NB
Escolar--oil fish. If you travel in Baja they try to sell you Mero, or black sea bass, but the fish is escolar. Real black sea bass is thick and translucent with layers and scales on the skin. Escolar is white and the skin looks like shark skin. If you touch the flesh of the fish the escolar leaves an oily film on your hand. Once you know, its very easy to identify. battered and fried, escolar is delicious. Any lower digestive issues don't last more than a few hours.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your informative and humorous article. I ate it anyway... live and learn.
ReplyDeletewho would of thought this article would have kept on giving after 8 years? I consumed heaps of this delicious fish each day in 1987 the last time I was in Fiji and only now have come back, and not able to find it. No mobile phone or internet back then, but now...! Thanks for the timely advice - will stop looking.
ReplyDeleteThat fish is banned in japan...
ReplyDeleteI was in Alaska on a cruise ship when I heard the waiter telling people that the grilled butterfish on the dinnr menu was a mild white fish similar to halibut. My daughter and I ordered it. It was delicious, so I ate the small amount I was served (perhaps four ounces) along with rice and vegetables. My lip started swelling as I finished it. About ten minutes later I felt very warm, my face was swelling, and I broke out in red welts. I went to the ship's doctor and he told me another woman was also there with allergic symptoms after eating the butterfish. He gave me Benadryl, but it didn't help. He gave me more Benadryl, had me lie down in a hospital bed, and I went into anaphylactic shock. I heard the doctor worrying about my blood pressure dropping too low, passed out, and woke thinking I had been rushed down a long hallway to a brightly lit operating room. He then put something into my IV that made me throw up the contents of my stomach. He called the dining room and ordered them to stop serving the butterfish. After two hours of rest and observation, I was allowed to go back to my cabin. I was feeling worn out by my ordeal but the night wasn't over. About two hours later, I started to feel nausea and I literally ran to the bathroom every ten minutes the entire night I felt like I had been poisoned and my body was trying to get rid of the toxin that was burning my skin and causing so much misery. The next day I stayed in bed recovering from the fish that almost killed me. After the cruise, I started researching online and found this site, and began to understand what had happened to me. I had no idea I was allergic to any fish but it appears that some of us are. By the way, my daughter had no negative reaction at all.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking.
ReplyDeleteNine days of illness. Body temperature dropped to about 34 degrees. My electronic thermometer could not start. Fortunately, I had an old thermometer with mercury. I did not feel the cold of the surroundings despite the window that was open to my request. It was winter. Very slow breathing. Very big weakness. Every attempt to enter the bathroom was a fight with the body, lack of strength and a deep sense of indifference. Lack of thirst. On the first day, a glass of water was at hand, I drank only half of the contents. Fatty, orange stools, impossible to rinse with water. A sense of unreality. I did not eat five days. It does not convince me that it does not threaten life. Fact, I'm alive. Nevertheless, I felt poisoned. After nine days, I returned to the office, to work. This fish is too big a threat. It should be completely banned. I thank God that I did not give it to my children.
ReplyDeleteescolar rocks! the best sashimi ever!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that if I have to have a colonoscopy, escolar is the way to "go." The usual method tastes vile. Escolar really is delicious.
ReplyDeleteI ate some Fried Haddock from Cracker Barrel the day before yesterday and noticed what looked like Cheeto stains in my underwear yesterday. Upon using the bathroom and wiping, the toilet paper was smeared bright orange. I thought I was peeing orange, but upon further investigation I deduced that it was seeping from my behind. Since then, I've been wearing a pad. These oily, bright orange drops are all inside my toilet when I use it. That was the first time I've eaten seafood in months and it never affected me like that before. But, Haddock isn't that Escolar you mentioned. Could it cause the same side effect? I'm bereft. That was the best fish I ever ate from there! ��
ReplyDeleteGreat information and read the comments here make me felt better and I have the same situation after eating this "white tuna" fish... I let out a long fart while doing dishes and feel something in my butt... I went toilet and let go some watery liquid and yes I can see orangy oil floating on surface I freak! To be safe side I put tissue like kotek in my butt to prevent soil my pant...
ReplyDeleteI ate escolar two or three times. Bought the smoked filets from our local fishdealer. The taste is great, different from any other fish I had so far.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky and have read about the possible problems this fish can cause before trying it.
Never ate more than 60g/2oz and everything went fine. No oilspills etc. But I enjoyed the comments here very much, haha.
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