Is it safe to eat raw salmon?

Salmon is a food with many health benefits, so it becomes a popular choice for people who like to eat seafood. Dishes made from raw salmon are a tradition in many cultures around the world, such as the Japanese sashimi, the Nordic appetizer with raw salmon with salt, sugar and cumin. So is it safe to eat raw salmon?

Raw salmon can contain bacteria, parasites and other pathogens. Some of these bacteria, parasites or pathogens will occur naturally in the flesh of the fish, while others may be the result of improper storage and processing of the fish.
Cooking salmon to an internal temperature of about 63 degrees Celsius will probably kill microorganisms and parasites, but if you eat raw salmon, the risk of infection with these factors is very high and can cause food poisoning.
1.1. Parasites in raw salmon The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed known sources of parasites in salmon. For example: helminths are worm-like parasites similar to tapeworms or roundworms. They are quite common in the fins of fish, especially salmon.
The Japanese tapeworm or tapeworm Diphyllobothrium nihonkai sense can live in the small intestine of the body, and they can grow to more than 12 meters long. These and other tapeworms have been found in wild salmon in the waters of Alaska and Japan, and have also been found in the digestive tracts of people who have eaten raw salmon. from these areas.
Symptoms of a helminth infection include weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea and in some cases anemia.

1.2. Bacterial and viral infections from raw salmon Like all seafood, salmon can be exposed to bacterial or viral contamination and cause mild to severe illness when eaten undercooked fish. Some bacteria or viruses that can infect salmon include: Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, hepatitis A, norovirus.
Most infections from eating seafood are the result of improper storage and processing or the harvesting of seafood from water contaminated by human waste. Raw salmon can also contain contaminants from the environment. Both farmed and wild salmon can contain trace amounts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals.
Persistent organic substances (POPs) are toxic chemicals including pesticides, industrial chemicals and flame retardants. These substances accumulate in the fish food chain and they are stored in the fatty tissue of animals and fish.
Human exposure to POPs may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, birth defects and endocrine, immune and reproductive disorders.
Researchers sampled 10 fish species that originated in a market in Spain. Then analysis and found that salmon contains the highest concentration of a type of flame retardant. However, the detected levels are still within safe limits.
Cooking salmon can reduce the concentration of POPs. One study found that cooked salmon had, on average, 26% lower concentrations of POPs than raw salmon.

If choosing to eat raw salmon, make sure it has been previously frozen at -35 degrees Celsius. This temperature will kill any parasites present in the salmon. However, freezing does not kill all pathogens. Another caveat is that most home chillers don't have enough equipment to reach this temperature.
When buying raw salmon or ordering dishes with raw salmon, you should also consider it carefully. Salmon frozen and properly thawed in fish flesh will be firm, silky, and free from bruising, discoloration or odor.

In the case of preparing raw salmon at home, make sure all surfaces, knives and utensils are kept clean and make sure the salmon is refrigerated until ready to use. prevent bacterial contamination.
If when eating raw salmon or any other fish, mouth or throat feels uncomfortable, nausea, this may be caused by a live parasite moving in the mouth, spitting it goes or coughs up.

Some people are at high risk for serious food infections and should never eat raw salmon or other raw seafood. These include:
Pregnant women Children Elderly People Anyone with a weakened immune system, such as those with cancer, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants or diabetes In people with compromised immune systems, and the combination of foodborne illness can lead to severe symptoms, hospitalization or even death.
In short, eat raw salmon without fishy and it is a particularly delicious, attractive dish. However, it's important to know that raw salmon can contain parasites, bacteria, and other toxins that can harm the body even when eaten in small doses. Raw salmon should only be eaten when it is stored and prepared properly. Furthermore, if you have a compromised immune system, don't eat raw salmon or other fish.

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Reference source: healthline.com

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