Shrimp is just the best. Some people wonder if it’s safe to eat raw, even though it tastes great in salads and sushi. A person who knows a lot about food safety told us everything we need to know about raw shrimp.
Shrimp cocktails sushi and ceviche are popular dishes made with raw shrimp. But is eating uncooked shrimp actually safe or does it come with health risks? Here’s an in-depth look at what can happen if you eat raw shrimp.
Shrimp is a tasty seafood treat enjoyed around the world. When properly cooked, shrimp provides protein, vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy omega-3s. However, raw shrimp may contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses.
While some cultures do consume raw shrimp after special preparations like freezing or marinating in citrus, health experts caution against eating raw shrimp due to the potential dangers. Let’s explore what could happen if you eat raw shrimp and whether it’s worth the risk.
Potential Reactions to Eating Raw Shrimp
Here are some possible consequences of consuming raw or undercooked shrimp:
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Food poisoning – Raw shrimp often harbors bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, and norovirus, which cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and nausea Food poisoning sends over 5,000 Americans to the hospital each year
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Infections – Harmful bacteria in raw shrimp can lead to infections in wounds, the bloodstream, or intestines. Vibrio bacteria cause serious infections that may require antibiotics or hospitalization.
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Cholera – Some Vibrio strains cause the life-threatening disease cholera, marked by severe diarrhea and dehydration Cholera is rare in the US. but still a risk with raw shrimp.
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Stomach flu – Norovirus is a contagious virus in raw shellfish that causes stomach flu symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain lasting 1-3 miserable days.
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Complications – Foodborne illness from raw shrimp could trigger severe complications for those with compromised immunity like the elderly, infants, pregnant women, or those with chronic diseases.
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Allergic reactions – Some people may experience food allergy symptoms like hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis after eating raw shrimp. Cooking helps reduce these allergenic proteins.
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Parasites – Raw shrimp may contain parasites that infect the digestive system and cause abdominal pain, nausea, weakness, and diarrhea. Freezing can kill parasites.
Clearly, there are significant health risks associated with consuming raw shrimp. However, how likely you are to get sick depends on your age, health status, and the shrimp’s source and handling.
Who Is Most at Risk From Raw Shrimp?
Certain groups of people are more likely to become seriously ill from eating raw shrimp:
- Infants and young children
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- Those with weakened immune systems or chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, etc.
- People taking medications that suppress the immune system
- Individuals with stomach conditions like GERD or ulcers
People in these higher risk groups should take extra care to thoroughly cook shrimp and avoid eating it raw or undercooked. An episode of food poisoning tends to hit them harder with more severe symptoms and complications.
Tips to Eat Shrimp Safely
To enjoy shrimp without the hazards of raw seafood, follow these safe preparation and cooking guidelines:
- Purchase fresh, properly refrigerated shrimp from reputable sellers
- Avoid raw shrimp dishes at restaurants
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw shrimp
- Thaw frozen shrimp safely in the fridge
- Cook shrimp to an internal temperature of 145°F
- Make sure shrimp flesh is opaque and pink when cooked through
- Order cooked shrimp when eating out or specify “no raw shrimp”
- Take extra precautions if pregnant, immunocompromised, or in a high risk group
Cooking shrimp thoroughly until done destroys any dangerous bacteria, viruses, or parasites present. This makes shrimp safe to eat and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Can You Eat Fully Cooked Shrimp Rare?
Some people enjoy the texture of juicy, translucent shrimp and eat it slightly undercooked. But is this safe?
According to food safety experts, shrimp should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill potential pathogens. So technically, rare shrimp is still risky since it hasn’t reached a high enough temperature throughout.
Over 90% of food poisoning is caused by undercooking. To avoid getting sick, shrimp is best eaten fully opaque and pink, even if that means losing some juiciness.
The Takeaway – Is Raw Shrimp Worth the Risk?
While proper freezing and marinating can reduce the risk, cooking shrimp thoroughly is the only way to kill pathogens and make it safe to eat. To avoid adverse reactions, pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, and children should not consume raw shrimp.
For most people, the minimal rewards of raw shrimp don’t outweigh the stomach-churning risks. Taking proper cooking precautions provides all the great taste and nutrients of shrimp without the gamble. Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than sorry and fully cook this seafood before eating.
Can You Eat Raw Shrimp?
Yes, you can eat raw shrimp, but its not necessarily the safest choice. Katie Heil, Certified Professional in Food Safety and content manager at Certus, said, “It’s better to stay away from raw shrimp when it comes to food safety.” With any raw seafood or animal product, theres the potential to contract a foodborne illness, she said.
The FDA recommends cooking fish and shellfish, which can kill bacteria. And most seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. But if you do decide to eat raw fish, Heil has some suggestions to help keep you safe.
“If you do eat raw shrimp, it should come from a business that is regulated by the government and freezes it properly to kill parasites,” she said. “Places that sell raw, ready-to-eat fish, like shrimp, should keep track of how cold the fish are frozen and for how long they are kept at that temperature.” “.
Using the 2022 FDA Food Code, Heil offered guidelines for freezing and storage times for raw, ready-to-eat seafood. It seems the colder the temperature that fish is stored at, the less storage time it needs. Heil says that seafood that has been frozen at -4°F or below should be kept for at least seven days. Seafood that has been frozen at -31°F or below until solid should be kept for at least fifteen hours. Fish must be kept at -4°F or below until it solidifies and at -31°F or below until it solidifies. This must be done for at least 24 hours.
What happens if you eat a little raw shrimp?
What happens if you eat raw shrimp?
Consuming raw shrimp increases your risk of food poisoning and food contamination. Raw shrimp often contain a bacterium called Vibrio. Over 70 species exist, 12 of which are known to cause illness in humans ( 9, 10, 11, 12 ).
What happens if you eat spoiled shrimp?
Consuming bad shrimp can lead to food-borne illnesses, a range of unpleasant symptoms. In severe cases, food-borne illnesses can cause hospitalization and more serious health issues. Thus, it’s crucial to recognize the signs of spoiled shrimp and prioritize your health and well-being by avoiding consumption if there’s any doubt about its freshness.
Can raw shrimp cause food poisoning?
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that over 90% of food poisoning cases are caused by Salmonella, Vibrio, and E. coli, which can all be found in raw shrimp. Vibrio infection, or vibriosis, is another potential danger of eating raw shrimp. It is an illness caused by ingesting the Vibrio bacteria.
Can you eat raw shrimp outside?
While you can lower the risk of food poisoning, eating raw shrimp will always have this risk. Only by cooking shrimp thoroughly will any bacteria and viruses present be killed. So if you have any doubt, consider cooking your shrimp before eating it. How long can you keep uncooked shrimp outside?