How to Enjoy Sushi Without Being Infected With Parasites
People are intimidated by the recent story that a man who ate sushi contracted a stomach parasite . If you eat something raw, it is possible, but it is rare and easy to avoid.
The parasite in question , anisakiasis , is a nematode (or worm) larva that attaches to the wall of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. They live in raw fish and squid, but rarely cause health problems in humans because they either pass through the intestines without latching onto them, or they cannot survive in the harsh conditions of the intestines. Even if the nematode takes root inside you, it won’t live longer than 10 days or so . However, these 10 days will be very inconvenient. While the incidence of parasites is on the rise, this is only true because the popularity of sushi continues to skyrocket. The best way to avoid them is, of course, not to eat sushi or sashimi , but to hell it’s delicious. And honestly, you have nothing to worry about that much.
Why you shouldn’t worry too much
All raw fish can be infested with parasites, but not all raw fish, especially when you eat at a well-established sushi restaurant. Why? The fish you eat has been quickly frozen at -35 ° F and kept in a commercial freezer for at least 15 hours to kill any parasites in it.
Right. Your sushi is probably not a fish caught that morning. In fact, most states like Oregon require it to be frozen first. But it’s good! Aside from expelling parasites like anisakiasis and tapeworm, raw fish does taste better after it has aged a little. Aside from fully cooking the fish, freezing it is the best way to prevent parasite infestation .
Your favorite sushi restaurant probably also buys fish from a seafood processor, which tests the fish before selling it. Using a process called “glow”, they send light through fillets to find any anomalies, including bones. They then either remove them or discard the fish. If you are playing a home game, you can do it yourself using a very bright flashlight. In addition, seafood processors are likely to obtain most of their produce from fish farms, which are less likely to be infested with worms. Numerous studies have shown that hatchery fish have far fewer cases of parasite infestation, while wild caught fish can have very high infestation rates.
How can you be proactive
If all this information isn’t enough to worry you, here are some more tips you can follow to keep your gut free of parasites:
- Do a little research: Find reputable sushi restaurants and ask them where they get their fish. Is the seafood manufacturer known for their quality? Does the restaurant serve farmed or wild fish? Do they freeze fish in accordance with FDA regulations? Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to tell you what they’re willing to go for when looking for quality food. Remember, sushi chefs have been learning for years to bring you delicious fish that you can safely eat. If they don’t, they will go bankrupt.
- Freeze and light up your fish: If you’re making sushi or sashimi at home, you’ll have to be patient. You should buy thinly sliced ”sashimi” fish from a reputable market, hold a candle and place in the freezer for a full week, as the temperature can only go as low as -4 ° F. At this temperature, it takes much longer to destroy everything. It was probably already frozen, but it’s better to play it safe.
- Learn to spot worms: The worms in raw fish are usually quite visible, especially in thinly sliced slices of sashimi. They look like long thin strands of red, white, pink or brown and usually move … But if you are wondering how they look,here is a worm in some tuna ,here is a worm in some salmon , butin some then the yellowtail worm . In addition,here is a video in which a woman accidentally removes worms from a monkfish . Keep in mind that these videos will help you identify the worms, but they are also really disgusting.
Almost all fish have some kind of parasite, but very few of them end up on the plate. And even so, very few of those that affect fish also affect humans. The bacteria found in food is much more dangerous in general, and you run the risk of eating any food in any restaurant. However, raw seafood is best avoided by pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems. But if you are fit for a violin, do not be afraid! Arm yourself with the knowledge, know what to look for, and dig in.