Fish floss in South Sudan
The article from Indonesia on page 45 showed that consumption of catfish floss increased haemoglobin levels among teenage girls. A similar product is made in South Sudan.
Fish floss, locally known as Gɛ̈r in the Dinka language, is a traditional preserved fish product widely consumed in the swampy grasslands (Toich) of Twic East County, Jonglei State, South Sudan. It is primarily produced from catfish (Clarias spp.) and mudfish (Protopterus spp.), although Nile perch (Lates niloticus) may also be used. The product plays an important role in local food security due to its long shelf life, high protein content, and cultural significance.
The preparation of Gɛ̈r involves a series of traditional processing. Freshly harvested catfish are first cleaned and longitudinally sliced to expose the subcutaneous and visceral fat deposits. The fat layer is carefully removed and heated gently to extract fish oil by melting. The clarified oil is then filtered and stored for later use in frying and preservation.
After oil extraction, the fish carcasses are boiled in water until the muscle tissue is tender and fully cooked, facilitating separation from the skeletal structures. These fillets are subsequently fried in the previously extracted catfish oil at moderate temperatures until they attain a characteristic brown colouration and fibrous texture. This frying step further reduces the moisture content and induces lipid uptake, contributing to the product’s distinctive flavour, aroma, and energy density.
Additional fish oil may be incorporated after frying to enhance palatability and improve preservation by creating a lipid barrier that limits oxygen exposure and microbial growth. The final product, Gɛ̈r, is a dry, oil-rich, shelf-stable fish preparation that can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration. Its traditional processing method represents an effective indigenous food preservation strategy that combines thermal processing, dehydration, and lipid enrichment to ensure food availability during periods of scarcity.