Eating sushi and sashimi is risky, especially if precautions aren't taken, because you're consuming raw foods. Raw seafood may contain different parasites, viruses, and bacteria which make it very important to take steps to prevent foodborne illness.
Freshwater fish like yellow perch or brook trout aren't safe to eat raw, so stick to saltwater species for your sushi. “As far as raw fish goes, tuna tends to have the lowest risk of food-borne illness,” Patton says. “You can also ask for cooked fish in your sushi. Shrimp and crab are usually cooked.”
While sushi-related infections are uncommon, eating sushi is not completely without risk—especially if the raw fish or seafood is not handled and prepared according to the FDA regulations.
Sushi-grade fish means that it is deemed safe to eat raw because of the way it is treated from the catch, throughout transportation and storage. The bacteria level is lower than regular fish, which makes it safe to eat uncooked.
Anisakis larvae grow to a much smaller size than fish tapeworm (up to 3cm) but can cause severe pain in the upper abdomen shortly after eating infected fish. Thankfully, it is incredibly rare to contract a parasitic infection from eating sushi or sashimi in Australia.
Seafood used in making sushi should be labeled as sushi grade seafood. Fish that's consumed raw in sushi must be frozen to -20°C (-4°F) for 7 days or -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours. This process will destroy any parasite in the fish making it safer to consume but there's still risk.
Check The Appearance
Frozen fish stays bright in color and looks uniform without any blotches or discoloration. Avoid any fish that has a milky residue on it or looks dull in color. If your sushi has Nori seaweed on the outside of it, it should be crisp.
According to a registered dietician, healthy adults can safely consume 2-3 sushi rolls, which means 10-15 pieces of sushi per week. However, the statistics are different for the elderly, pregnant women and others with the compromised digestive system.
The combination of fish, rice and seasonings makes sushi a delicious part of a healthy diet. You can also enjoy eating sushi at home by making your own—try our Spicy Salmon Sushi Roll-Ups and Vegan Sushi with Tomato "Tuna".
Raw fish can be a healthful addition to your diet. Uncooked fish has higher levels of valuable nutrients and is free from chemical contaminants. Cooking fish at high temperatures can reduce its nutritional value especially the amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in it.
You can also freeze your sushi before eating it. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends raw or semi-raw seafood be blast frozen to −35℃ or below for 15 hours, or be conventionally frozen to −20℃ or below for 7 days, as this will kill any parasites in the fish.
Sushi might lead to food poisoning
If the fish is not transported in the required temperatures, it may begin to rot and produce histamine, to which your body might develop an allergic reaction when you eat that fish, with symptoms such as: rash, headache, dizziness, and maybe even more than that.
Summary. It's possible to get an infectious disease when eating raw fish in sushi or sashimi. These could be caused by a worm, like anisakiasis, or a bacteria, such as Salmonella or listeriosis. Many of these infections can cause digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Contrary to what many people think, raw fish does not automatically 'contain' listeria. Listeriosis is a rare but serious complication in pregnancy that can cause severe illness and miscarriage (source: PMC). Contamination with listeria tends to happen during preparation, packaging, or storage.
The fish in sushi is the number one brain food! The essential fats, or Omega 3 fatty acids, nourish and repair brain cells. As fish is also rich in protein and essential fats, it helps focus the mind, increase concentration and maintain energy, making sushi a perfect lunchtime option during your working day.
Is sushi hard to digest? Sushi is easy to digest due to the use of cooked rice. The vinegar in the sushi aids in the digestion of the rice by breaking it down. Sushi is also high in protein and healthy fats, which can help you feel full and satisfied after a meal.
Be smart about sushi and sashimi.
Go easy on (or avoid) all forms of tuna, including bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore. Same goes for mackerel, sea bass and yellowtail. Better sushi and sashimi options (with lower mercury contents) include salmon, eel, scallop, squid, trout, octopus, abalone and shrimp.
To eat raw salmon safely, it's important to follow these guidelines: Choose sushi-grade salmon: Purchase salmon that is specifically labeled as sushi-grade or sashimi-grade. These fish have undergone appropriate handling and processing to minimize the risk of parasites.
It's a meal that's meant to be enjoyed fresh after it has been prepared for you by an expert. So while grocery store sushi is perfectly safe to eat, it's just not as good as the real deal.
Yes, salmon is a food that you can eat raw. However, it's not safe for everyone, and there are some risks to consider first. Raw salmon may contain bacteria, parasites and other types of pathogens or germs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed salmon as a known source of parasites.