Is It Safe to Eat Raw Salmon from the Grocery Store?
Eating raw salmon has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the rise of sushi, poke bowls, and other dishes featuring fresh raw fish. However, raw salmon does carry some health risks if not handled properly. So is it actually safe to eat raw salmon from the grocery store?
The short answer is yes, raw salmon from the grocery store can be safely consumed if it meets a few criteria. With proper selection and storage, the dangers of eating raw salmon are minimal. Let’s take a closer look at the safety considerations around raw grocery store salmon.
Parasites in Raw Salmon
One of the biggest concerns with raw salmon is the risk of parasites. Salmon, especially wild-caught salmon, can harbor parasitic worms like tapeworms and roundworms. If ingested, these parasites can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
However, commercially sold salmon at grocery stores should be free of live parasites. The FDA says that fish that is going to be eaten raw has to be flash frozen to kill any parasites. So far, the salmon has been frozen solid at -31°F or below for 15 hours or at -4°F or below for 7 days. This freezing process kills any parasites present in the fish.
So the risk of parasites is very low as long as the salmon you buy has been frozen according to FDA rules. To make sure the food was frozen properly, look for words on the package like “flash frozen,” “frozen at sea,” or “sushi-grade.”
Bacteria in Raw Salmon
Freezing fish can destroy parasites, but some bacteria can still survive the freezing process. Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and other bacteria may be present in raw salmon, even when frozen. These bacteria increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.
To minimize the risk, only buy sashimi-grade salmon from reputable grocery stores and markets. This high-quality salmon is handled properly to reduce bacterial growth. It is gutted, chilled, and frozen promptly after catching
Also, look for thicker, fattier salmon fillets vs thin cuts, as bacteria tend to concentrate more on the edges. Finally, be very strict about storage times. Raw salmon should be kept at 32-40°F and consumed within 2 days of thawing.
Farmed vs Wild Salmon
Farmed Atlantic salmon is considered safer for eating raw than wild salmon. Farmed salmon are raised in controlled environments, fed pelleted feeds, and tested for parasites. Wild salmon live in natural waters and eat other fish, increasing their parasite exposure.
One study found parasite prevalence was 100 times higher in wild salmon compared to farmed. So if you’re able to choose between the two, farmed Atlantic salmon is the better option for raw consumption. That said, both farmed and wild salmon are safe as long as proper freezing guidelines were followed.
Should Pregnant Women Avoid Raw Salmon?
Pregnant women face higher risks of foodborne illness. Due to concerns over listeria and salmonella, it is often recommended that pregnant women avoid raw seafood entirely.
However, recent research suggests the listeria risk is not substantially higher for pregnant women vs the general population. The actual risk depends on the handling and processing protocols of the distributor.
With flash-frozen, properly handled sashimi-grade salmon from a reputable grocery store or market, the listeria risk is very low for pregnant women. Some obstetricians say it is reasonably safe for expectant mothers to enjoy high-quality raw salmon in moderation. But as always, pregnant women should consult their doctor about specific dietary restrictions.
Raw Salmon Preparation Tips
If you do choose to eat raw salmon from the grocery store, follow these preparation guidelines:
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Purchase sashimi or sushi-grade salmon that has been flash frozen to destroy parasites. Farmed Atlantic salmon is safer than wild.
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Check the sell-by date and pick salmon as fresh as possible. Use raw salmon within 2 days of thawing.
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Thaw frozen salmon in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. This prevents bacterial growth.
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Wash hands, utensils, dishes and cutting boards before and after handling raw salmon. Avoid cross-contamination.
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Use a sharp, clean knife and cut on a clean surface. Trim any discolored, dry edges which may contain more bacteria.
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Store thawed raw salmon in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from other foods. Keep between 32-40°F.
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If immunocompromised or pregnant, cook salmon fully to 145°F prior to consuming. Avoid raw consumption.
The Bottom Line
As long as it’s kept frozen until use and thawed properly, raw salmon from the grocery store is generally safe to eat. Focus on reputable sashimi-grade salmon and safe handling practices to minimize any parasitic and bacterial risks. Pregnant women may still want to exercise caution or cook salmon fully before eating.
While raw salmon does carry some inherent risk, the dangers are quite small when you follow basic food safety guidelines. So don’t be afraid to enjoy raw salmon sashimi or poke from the grocery store on occasion. Just be an informed consumer when selecting, preparing, and storing your raw salmon.
Dangers of eating unsafe raw salmon
Bacterial food poisoning
When you eat raw salmon, you’re susceptible to bacterial food poisoning like listeriosis. It’s not common to get sick from Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, but if your immune system is weak or you’re pregnant, it can really hurt you.
It is most often found in salmon that has been handled badly or “cold-smoked” at too high of a temperature. Stay safe and don’t eat raw salmon if you are in a group that is more likely to get sick from food. If you’re not, still be very careful to only eat high-quality raw fish from a reputable source.
Anisakiasis
Raw salmon can contain several different types of parasites, including anisakiasis. Anisakiasis is another name for “herring worm disease.” It is spread when people eat raw fish or squid that has had the parasite’s larvae on it. The parasites’ eggs or larvae can then live for a while in the person’s digestive system before dying.
This disease can cause vomiting, fever, bloating, and even a severe allergic reaction. People may need surgery to remove the parasite if it stays in their GI tract for too long.
Tapeworms
Tapeworms can be an unfortunate consequence of eating raw salmon that wasn’t flash-frozen. It can also happen if you eat fresh, raw salmon that was caught in the wild and got a tapeworm in its home water. You can’t be sure that a wild-caught fish doesn’t have tapeworms. For example, your salmon could be free of parasites because it was caught in a place where tapeworms are common, or it could have lived its whole life in water full of them.
Which types of salmon can and cannot be eaten raw?
It might be pricey to go to your favorite sushi place, and it might be a long drive to the international grocery store that has sushi-grade raw fish.
Can you eat raw salmon from the store, whether it’s fresh or frozen? Find out when it’s safe to eat raw fish, what kinds you should buy, and what kinds you should stay away from.
Most people understand that eating raw and undercooked meat can be extremely dangerous to their health. Raw meats can contain bacteria and parasites that cause food poisoning.
Fish meat can be different. Sometimes, its safe to eat raw fish, but in other situations, you should avoid it. This information will help you stay healthy when you eat raw fish, whether you’re looking for raw salmon for a sushi recipe or you just like it plain.
Wild-caught salmon
Salmon labeled “wild-caught” is often considered healthier for various reasons. These fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids, can grow in a safe place, and can eat a wide range of algae, fish, and plankton in the wild.
Living in the wild comes with a cost, though: parasites. Salmon that are caught in the wild are more likely to get sick because they eat more infected food than farmed salmon, whose food is made by humans and doesn’t contain any parasites. Its not a good idea to eat raw, wild-caught salmon unless you know its been flash-frozen first.
Farm-raised salmon
When you buy raw sushi at the store, the best fish to eat is farm-raised salmon, especially fish that has been flash frozen. There is a bad reputation for fish farms in the health food community, but fish raised in captivity are less likely to get parasitic diseases for three reasons:
- They are not out in the wild looking for their own food, so they probably won’t eat food that has been contaminated.
- They are raised in ways that are meant to keep them healthy and free of disease.
- Before they are sent to stores and restaurants, they are almost always frozen.
Smoked salmon
This salty delicacy is used in dishes as wide-ranging as gourmet appetizer plates and grocery store sushi. You can put it in pasta dishes or scramble it with eggs. If you eat it at a party, you probably haven’t thought about where it came from, but if you bought it and brought it home, you might be wondering if it’s safe to eat.
Smoked salmon isn’t technically raw — but it hasn’t been traditionally cooked, either. Still, smoked salmon that has been cured with smoke and salt in a traditional smokehouse or a larger food preparation plant is safe to eat.
If the cook doesn’t know how to smoke meat right, homemade smoked salmon might still be raw. If this is the case, it probably isn’t safe to eat.
What Types Of Fresh and Frozen Salmon Can You Eat Raw? Walmart? Whole Foods?
FAQ
Can you eat raw salmon from the grocery store?
How can you tell if raw salmon is safe?
How do you make store bought salmon safe to eat raw?
What fish is safe to eat raw from grocery store?
Can you eat salmon Raw from a grocery store?
Yes, you can eat salmon raw from high-quality grocery stores if it’s been previously frozen. “Sushi grade” doesn’t have a legal definition. It’s simply up to the grocery store to say if something is safe to eat raw. But salmon can contain parasites, so buying previously frozen ensures any parasites are killed.
Is eating salmon everyday good or bad for consumption?
Eating salmon every day could be good or bad depending on the person. Salmon is a fish with a high content of polyunsaturated fats and omega 3 with benefits for cardiovascular health. Therefore, its daily consumption would be healthy in most cases, except if raw salmon or with added salt.
Is raw salmon safe?
Raw salmon is delicious and safe enough that it’s a mainstay of many dishes around the world. However, it is an animal protein. And, like all animal proteins, salmon can be a breeding ground for bacteria, parasites, and other microscopic no-nos. The raw salmon you buy in stores should be free from contaminants.
Can you eat raw smoked salmon?
Even so, you can safely enjoy smoked salmon if it’s cured with smoke and salt in a traditional smokehouse or a larger food preparation plant. Homemade smoked salmon might still be raw if the cook doesn’t understand how to smoke meat correctly — and if this is the case, it’s probably not safe to eat. Does freezing raw salmon make it safe to eat?