Widespread claims circulating on social media suggesting that catfish consumption leads to kidney failure have been identified as misleading by health and aquaculture experts. The narrative gained momentum through viral videos on platforms including X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok starting March 15, 2026.
The Origin of the Claim
The controversy stems from a March 15, 2025, statement by Ali Ghufron Mukti, the President Director of BPJS Kesehatan. During his remarks, he noted a significant rise in claims costs for chronic kidney failure, which climbed from Rp6.5 trillion in 2019 to Rp11 trillion in 2024.
Ali Ghufron Mukti linked reports that nearly 100 percent of catfish are injected with antibiotics as a potential trigger for the condition. This statement was later utilized by a content creator in a viral video featuring a woman in a white coat who appeared to be a medical professional.
Actual Drivers of Kidney Failure
Medical professionals emphasize that lifestyle factors and chronic diseases are the primary causes of kidney failure. Ali Ghufron Mukti stated that approximately 30 percent of chronic kidney failure cases are actually triggered by hypertension and diabetes.
RA Adaninggar Primadia Nariswari, an internal medicine specialist at Surabaya General Hospital, confirmed there is no data linking catfish to kidney disease. She noted that other adult risk factors include kidney inflammation, autoimmune diseases, kidney stones, and the uncontrolled use of painkillers.
The Ministry of Health has explained that the excessive consumption of salt, fat, and sugar (GGL) leads to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. These conditions can subsequently result in heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. By 2025, the number of kidney failure patients is expected to reach 640,000.
The Reality of Catfish Farming
Aquaculture experts clarify that the practice of injecting antibiotics into fish is virtually non-existent. Veryl Hasan, a lecturer in Aquaculture at Airlangga University, estimated that antibiotic use in catfish is incredibly rare, occurring in less than two percent of cases and only during emergency disease outbreaks.
Hasan explained that injecting thousands of fish individually in a single pond is impossible and too expensive. Instead, antibiotics are typically administered via immersion for several minutes. He further noted that inappropriate antibiotic use actually harms farmers by triggering bacterial resistance in the fish.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) clarified that injection methods are reserved for vaccines, not antibiotics. To ensure food safety, the agency requires that antibiotic use follows correct dosages and a strict withdrawal period before the fish are harvested.
Potential Implications
The continued spread of these claims could lead to decreased consumption of safe fishery products and unnecessary public alarm. Conversely, this may prompt a possible increase in government-led public health campaigns focusing on the reduction of sugar, salt, and fat intake to combat the rise in kidney failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do catfish cause kidney failure?
No. Medical experts and fish farming specialists state there is no data linking catfish consumption to kidney disease, and the possibility of kidney failure caused by antibiotics in catfish is considered very remote.
How are antibiotics actually used in catfish farming?
Antibiotic use is rare, estimated at less than two percent, and is limited to emergency situations. Rather than injections, which are too expensive and ineffective for large ponds, farmers typically use an immersion method.
What are the main causes of kidney failure in adults?
The primary triggers are diabetes and hypertension, which account for approximately 30 percent of cases. Other factors include the uncontrolled use of painkillers, kidney stones, kidney inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
How do you verify the health claims you encounter on social media before changing your diet?
