Is Vietnamese Fish Sauce safe to eat?

Question

I saw a show about how it is made, basically marinating for a year outside in covered vats. I have never gotten sick from it, but am leery now that I've seen it made.

Answer 1

yes it is safe no need to worry if its bottled

Answer 2

Yes...fermentation has been used to preserve food since ancient times.  The process is well understood and carefully observed by the people doing it.

Answer 3

Yes and it adds so much flavor to any dish, but you don't need to use a lot, a little goes way far.

Answer 4

It's fine.  All the salt in it helps to ward off harmful bacteria.

Answer 5

Yes.

It is used all the time and probably in restaurants where you have eaten (without realising it)

Millions of people use it everyday.

I cook with fish sauce all the time.

If it is not safe, do you think they will be allowed to sell it?

Answer 6

I too have never gotten sick from it. I think it is so salty that it runs a low risk of spoiling.

Answer 7

My sister was just recommending it the other day for a thai soup recipe. She's also never gotten sick from it.

Answer 8

It is safe, the millions of people who eat fish sauce everyday in southeast asia has never had a problems. Wine sits out in barrels for several years and its safe so i don't think fish sauce will be harmful.

Answer 9

I am a former chef and  I to say "yes" to its safety, I have used in for years and I was a chef for 20+ yrs and worked in Asia, funny enough it has been around for 1000's of years the Ancient Romans had a similar seasoning called Garum, a salty fish based seasoning made from anchovies like the Vietnamese and other Asian Fish sauces, I prefer the Thai ones myself, there much more refined,

But if your not into anchovies for seasoning things a few dashes of fish sauce are fine, I have even used it to make Ceasar Salad dressing in a pinch.