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Social media is a double-edged sword. On one side, it can make you go viral for all good reasons, but at the same time, if not used right to set the narrative, it can impact you negatively in a big way. In a recent update, a Mumbai-based restro bar named Alta Stella, co-owned by actor Sanjay Dutt and Haryana-based entrepreneur Abhimanyu Jakhar became the talk of the town for serving cocktails with live fish in it. Scroll down to read what actually happened.

A viral video on Instagram suddenly caught people's attention, showing a blue Betta fighter fish inside a cocktail glass. And in no time, it became a concern for users including those who love eating fish and people started pouring anger on the post shared by the handle @angelic_ngo. The post read, "This is not a theme. This is cruelty. This is not creativity. This is cruelty made Instagrammable. A Mumbai bar, @altastellamumbai has started placing live fish in glasses on dining tables as part of a zodiac concept. When fish are taken out of water, they don’t just “die quickly.” They can suffer for up to 24 minutes, slowly suffocating. Where are we headed? Why are we letting people normalise this? Normalising their exploitation as entertainment is a dangerous step backward. Compassion should not be selective. Speak up, NOW."
According to the post, a case was filed and the restaurant also discontinued the cocktail from its menu. Everybody who shared, worked towards justice & spoke up, THANK YOU.

According to Alta Stella's latest post on Instagram, posted on Wednesday evening, the drink has been removed from the menu. It states, "The Ebisu cocktail was originally inspired by Pisces... The inclusion of the Betta fish was rooted in this narrative. Bettas are naturally solitary and can breathe air from the surface which is why they are often kept individually. But intent does not outweigh perception. We recognise that the presence of a live animal in a cocktail raises valid concern. After careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the drink."


The tradition of Japan
While this was found cruel in India, in Japan, it is considered an art and is called Shirouo no Odorigui. Shirouo, also referred to as ice goby is a small and translucent dish that lives in the freshwater rivers of Japan, and it makes for a Japanese seasonal delicacy featuring tiny, transparent shirouo fish served alive in a bowl or shot glass. It is said that the Japanese have been consuming live fish for many centuries. It is traditionally served in a bowl of vinegar, where acidity helps to sharpen the delicate fish flavour as it calms down the movement of the dish just before consumption.

What makes it safe for consumption in Japan?
Shirouo no Odorigui is traditionally served with vinegar. This helps in reducing the acidity, so it has lesser chances of contamination by bacteria. Further, the acidity of vinegar also enhances digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes and breaking down proteins in the fish. Thereby, Shirouo no Odorigui becomes a safer food to eat in the stomach.

Nutrition and is it safe to eat
From a nutritional standpoint, Shirouo is packed with protein that is useful for healing muscles and other general functions in the body. On top of that, these small fish are low in fat and calories, hence it may be enjoyed as a light yet easy to digest source of nutrition. However, in common with most fish, Shirouo is a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals with essential omega-3 fatty acids considered advantageous to heart health and cognitive function.

If we talk about safety, experts feel that eating live fish carries the risk of pathogens and parasites. Since Shirouo is taken raw, there is always a risk, however minor, of ingesting harmful bacteria or parasites inside the fish. Fortunately, Japan's food safety rules are strict, and shirouo are harvested in sanitary conditions and prepared to minimize health risks. Still, consumers should always be aware of this potential.