Is there a risk of parasites from consuming raw salmon?

Answer:

Salmon is rich in essential nutrients, offering a plethora of vitamins and minerals. It is regarded as a delicacy and frequently enjoyed raw as sashimi, a classic Japanese culinary practice featuring thinly sliced fresh raw seafood, or featured in a variety of other recipes.

Salmon sashimi. Illustration photo by Pexels

In Vietnam, sources of salmon include local aquaculture and imports. The fear that salmon raised in farms might be more susceptible to parasites is common. Nevertheless, tests carried out by the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology on farmed salmon and tuna sourced from selected supermarkets and markets in Hanoi revealed no parasitic presence.

However, research conducted in Japan has identified cases of salmon contaminated with the parasitic worm Anisakis simplex. Therefore, from a medical perspective, it is prudent to opt for cooked rather than raw or partially cooked seafood to mitigate the risk of parasitic infections and other health issues associated with consuming raw foods.

Dr. Do Trung Dung

National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology