How does one know if one can eat raw saltwater fish?
As I go spearfishing a lot, I have always lots of fish at home.
After testing a variety of recipes, I was thinking of trying some sushi variations (sashimi, maki, uramaki, nigiri, tempura rolls).
However, thinking in terms of safety, how does one know if one can eat saltwater fish raw?
Also, what are some methods to make it safer?
Best Answer
Because you know you have previously frozen the fish.
A lot of shop bought "fresh" fish is likely to have been frozen and defrosted, before sale. Often there is legislation about freezing fish if it is to be eaten raw.
Note that home freezers may not be as effective as commercial freezers and blast freezers so you may need to keep the fish frozen for a few days and it may help if it is sliced thinly so that it cools faster.
Some background info
- FDA Detailed Advice That is an 8 page pdf download on parasites in fish. It does open as a viewable tab in my browser (Firefox).
- How to Enjoy Sushi Without Getting Infested With Parasites A shorter general answer. Includes reminder you may need to freeze it for a week to be safe.
- Rules in my country [England] requiring freezing of fish intended to be eaten raw.
Pictures about "How does one know if one can eat raw saltwater fish?"
Can you eat raw saltwater fish?
Raw saltwater fish is generally safe to eat while raw freshwater fish is often not. This is because saltwater helps kill off many of the common parasites and bacteria that are harmful to humans. Even so, you should not eat raw fish every day and should always cook it when possible.How do you know if fish is safe to eat raw?
Follow these key tips when buying, storing and preparing fresh, raw seafood. At the market: Be sure fresh seafood is properly refrigerated at or below 40\xb0F or well-packed with ice. Look for fish with shiny, firm flesh and no overly "fishy" odor.Can you eat any fresh fish raw?
Cooking fish at high temperatures kills bacteria and parasites. When you eat raw fish, there is a greater risk of food poisoning or contracting a parasite. Food poisoning is caused by eating food infected with certain bacteria. Fish can become infected by bacteria such as Listeria, Vibrio, Clostridium, and Salmonella.Why can you eat raw salt water fish?
When raw, most saltwater fish that are eaten can be carriers of anisakis simplex, a parasitic roundworm that may invade the gastrointestinal tract of humans, causing mild to serious complications. But again, the warnings of parasitologists and physicians are difficult to reconcile with the absence of known infection.Will You Still Eat Raw Fish After Watching This Video?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Tom Fisk, Karolina Grabowska, Klaus Nielsen, Tom Fisk