Why You Should Never Eat Undercooked or Raw Supermarket Salmon

The culinary world offers a vast array of dishes featuring salmon, a fish celebrated for its taste, versatility, and health benefits. However, the preparation of salmon warrants caution, particularly concerning its cooking level. While sushi and sashimi lovers might advocate for its raw consumption, understanding the risks associated with undercooked salmon is crucial for health and safety.

Is Medium Rare or Pink Salmon Safe?

Eating salmon medium rare or with a pink center is often considered safe when the fish has been handled correctly, and it's of sushi grade. Cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 125-130°F (about 52-54°C) is generally accepted for achieving a medium-rare doneness, which can keep its center slightly translucent and moist. However, this level of cooking does leave room for potential health risks if the salmon is not fresh or properly processed to eliminate parasites and bacteria.

The Dangers of Consuming Raw or Undercooked Salmon from the Supermarket

Eating raw salmon straight from the supermarket poses significant health risks. Supermarket salmon, unless specifically labeled as sushi or sashimi grade, has not undergone the rigorous processing necessary to make it safe for raw consumption. This includes freezing at temperatures that kill parasites. Consuming non-sushi-grade salmon raw can expose individuals to harmful parasites like Anisakis, which can cause digestive distress, and bacteria including Listeria, which poses severe health risks, especially to pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Types of Salmon Safe to Consume Rare

Salmon that is safe to consume rare or cooked like a steak must be labeled as sushi or sashimi grade. This indicates that the fish has been frozen at a temperature and duration sufficient to kill any parasites. Farmed salmon in countries with strict regulations around feed and health management may also be safer for consumption at lower levels of doneness, as the risk of parasite infection is lower than in wild salmon. Nonetheless, even with these precautions, individuals should consider their personal health risks when choosing to consume salmon less than fully cooked. Wild salmon, while rich in flavor and nutrients, inherently carries a higher risk of parasite contamination than farmed salmon. Therefore, it is generally recommended to cook wild salmon thoroughly unless it has been properly frozen or treated for raw consumption.