Can you eat Costco salmon raw?

In this short article, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you eat Costco salmon raw?”. Moreover, we will discuss salmon, the health benefits of eating salmon, how to cook salmon and the dangers of eating Costco salmon raw. 

Can you eat Costco salmon raw?

It is better to avoid eating Costco salmon raw. Raw salmon can contain dangerous parasites and bacteria. Although parasites can be killed if you are buying salmon that has been previously frozen, it does not kill the bacteria, making it unsafe for consumption. 

Therefore, it is best to eat Costco salmon or any other salmon cooked. Cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit destroys bacteria and parasites.

However, if you want to eat raw salmon, consider buying farm-raised salmon. The feed that farmed salmon are fed upon is verified to be free of parasites.

How to properly handle salmon 

The FDA has classified raw salmon as a recognised source of parasites. By eating raw salmon, we get exposed to many tapeworms. 

The great news is that with proper handling and storage, the danger of getting sick decreases considerably.

Raw salmon that is kept frozen at -20 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 to 48 hours ensures all parasites present in it are killed.

At home, store salmon in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container. It would be best if you use clean utensils, dishes, and knives when preparing the salmon.

Health benefits of Salmon

Salmon is considered a superfood that has a good taste and can be consumed in various ways. Some of the health benefits of salmon are as follows:

Omega-3 fatty acids:

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the normal functioning of the body and salmon is rich in these fatty acids. These are the good fatty acids that can help the body maintain the following functions:

  • They help in the improvement of brain function.
  • They can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and heart arrhythmia.
  • These fatty acids help in reducing the risk of cardiac arrest and high blood pressure. 
  • There is an improvement in cell functioning because of the proper amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Moreover, omega-3 fatty acids are also involved in controlling inflammatory responses of the body, protecting joints and also involved in elevating mood.

Protein:

Protein is required to maintain normal functioning of the body for instance, in building muscles, bones and cartilage. Salmon contains a great number of essential proteins that helps the body in maintaining muscle mass, reducing weight and regulating metabolic rate. Protein also helps in maintaining healthy bone density.

Antioxidants:

Antioxidants are molecules that are important for immunity and they can also reduce the risk of cancer. There are various varieties of salmon which contain antioxidants. These varieties are pinkish-orange in colour which is due to the presence of compound astaxanthin. 

Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that protects the body from different neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases.

Risk of eating salmon

Various risks are associated with eating salmon, particularly if it is being consumed in excess, that too in raw form. Some of the risks associated with salmon are described below:

Food poisoning:

Food poisoning is a gastrointestinal disorder that can occur when a pathogen enters the body and disturbs the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Two common types of food poisoning are known, that can make people sick when they eat salmon.

Ciguatera poisoning:

Ciguatera poisoning is the type of food poisoning that is accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Sometimes these symptoms can also progress to headache, muscle aches and irritation or numbness of the skin.

Scombroid poisoning:

The symptoms of scombroid food poisoning appear twenty to thirty minutes after eating salmon containing the pathogen. These include flushing or redness of the face, nausea, vomiting, hives and abdominal pain.

The symptoms of scombroid poisoning are identical to allergic reactions but this does not necessarily mean that the person having scombroid poisoning is allergic to fish. 

Parasites:

Various parasites are present in raw fish or sushi fish. These parasites can be destroyed by heating but there is no proper regulation in restaurants so there is a risk of getting ill after eating it.

Bacteria:

One of the risks of eating salmon is the presence of bacteria which can be the reason for sickness. Two types of bacteria are associated with salmon related diseases. 

The person eating salmon can get infected by Salmonella and Vibrio vulnificus. Salmonella is more common than Vibrio vulnificus.

Special concerns:

  • Not all people get infected by eating salmon. A specific group of people for which salmon is not safe to consume in any case include:
  • Pregnant women
  • Young children
  • People of older age
  • Those people who have a weak immune system or those who are taking immune-suppressing medications

Conclusion

In this short article, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you eat Costco salmon raw?”. Moreover, we will discuss salmon, the health benefits of eating salmon, how to cook salmon and the dangers of eating Costco salmon raw. 

References

https://thegrocerystoreguy.com/can-you-eat-salmon-raw-from-the-grocery-store/
https://www.mashed.com/22926/great-ways-cook-perfect-salmon/

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