Worms on salmon? ‘Pretty normal,’ Costco store manager says (2024)

FAQs

Worms on salmon? ‘Pretty normal,’ Costco store manager says? ›

“That's disgusting,” the man told the news station. But according to the man, the Costco store manager said “it was pretty normal that salmon had a worm or parasite.” The man said he expected the store manager to remove all the salmon from the refrigerator cases, but that didn't happen.

Anisakid roundworms are the most common parasite found in marine fishes. Other names for these threadlike nematodes are herring worms, cod worms and seal worms. Freshwater perch, trout, and salmon (that spend part of their life in freshwater), may carry the tapeworm larvae of Diphyllobothrium.

The chance of finding a worm in your salmon or sushi is very low, and while ingesting one can potentially lead to an infection, this doesn't happen very often. According to the FDA fewer than 10 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, although many others may be unreported.

No. It's highly unlikely that Costco salmon has worms. However, any form of seafood can contain parasites if not cooked properly. The best way to avoid getting parasites from seafood is to purchase fish that has been frozen solid.

If fish is to be consumed uncooked, killing the parasites requires it to be frozen at -20 C for at least a week, Young said. Most commercial sushi-grade seafood suppliers freeze at -40 C.

Anisakis is a marine parasitic worm that can be found in certain species of wild fish. It is common in wild salmon, herring and sardines. Eating raw fish infected with Anisakis could cause anisakiasis, a parasitic infection which can cause stomach pain and nausea. The illness cannot be transmitted human to human.

More than 90% of some wild-caught fish is estimated to be infected with at least parasite eggs, while more than 75% of filets from wild-caught salmon contain parasitic worms.

These parasites are usually killed by cooking the fish to a temperature of at least 145°F for fifteen seconds. The Food Code and the Texas Food Establishment Rules require that fish that are to be consumed raw or undercooked be frozen at a temperature and time guaranteed to kill parasites.

Is it safe to eat fish with worms? Yes, if it's cooked, it's safe to eat worms in fish. As the worms on fish are dead and have gone through the heat while cooking, nothing will happen if you eat one.

That white slimy stuff is called albumin, and it's actually just a harmless (albeit pretty gross-looking) protein that solidifies as salmon cooks.

Did Costco get sued for worms in fish? ›

SoCal family sues Costco claiming live worms found in Kirkland halibut product they purchased. A doctor and his family are suing Costco, alleging that halibut they bought from a San Dimas store contained live worms that were crawling in the product after it was cooked and being eaten by their 13-year-old daughter.

Safe to Eat Raw: If the salmon is from a trusted source like Costco, it is safe to eat raw. Costco's smoking process helps kill any bacteria, parasites, or pathogens that may be present.

Horror stories of people finding worms in their salmon shouldn't come as a surprise. Data cited by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control suggests that 75% of wild Pacific salmon are infected with anisakid nematodes.

Farmed salmon are significantly lower risk for parasites because their feed is often parasite-free pellets. A survey of studies on parasite infection in salmon found 0% parasite infection in any samples of farmed salmon, but anywhere from 65-100% of wild salmon samples.

Symptoms of anisakiasis can include violent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. When the Anisakis worm enters intestinal tissues, it triggers an inflammatory immune response in the body, resulting in these symptoms.

The white stuff on salmon is called albumin.

As the meat cooks, the coagulated albumin gets squeezed out and appears in the form of the weird, slimy, white substance that you are probably familiar with (and weirded out by).

Species of large tuna that are considered free of parasites include: Albacore, Yellowfin, Blackfin, Bluefin, Bigeye, Longtail, and Karasick. Fluke, Grouper, Jack, Bass, Trout, small Tuna, and Salmon (aquacultured and wild) may contain parasites and should be frozen for parasite destruction.

That white gunk seeping from your salmon is called albumin. It's a protein—not fat—that pushes to the surface of the fish when you heat it. "Once this protein reaches temperatures between 140 and 150 degrees, its moisture is squeezed out, and it congeals and turns white," according to America's Test Kitchen.

Early studies reported high levels of PCBs and other contaminants in farmed salmon – higher than in some species of wild salmon, such as pink salmon. Follow-up studies haven't confirmed this and the consensus among scientists and regulators is that farmed salmon and wild salmon are safe foods.

Oshiro says worms are more often found in salmon because they spend part of the time in fresh water. He explained that typically farm raised salmon will not have worms. “If you are insisting on eating something raw, yeah make sure to stay away from from the wild caught salmon,” Oshiro explained.

Is it normal to find worms in fish? ›

"If you're filleting a dozen fish in any given day, you're going to probably see worms in twenty per cent of them—if not more," said Best. Parasitic roundworms, or nematodes, are so common that fish processors just cut out the infested bits and use the rest of the fish.

Salmon, in particular, should be bought previously frozen — salmon is anadromous, living in both salt and fresh water, and can pick up worms that other ocean fish don't; though curing can kill bacteria, only proper freezing can kill these parasites. Keep the fish refrigerated at all times, even after it is cured.

Freezing mitigates the risk of human illness by inactivating parasites in fish that will be consumed raw or undercooked.

The CDC states that humans get Diphyllobothrium most often by eating uncooked or undercooked fish, such as salmon, that is infected with tapeworm larvae. Once inside the host, the larvae then grow.

The parasitic helminths of concern in BC fish are anasakid roundworms found in marine-water fish (Anisakis simplex, Pseudoterranova decipiens), and fresh-water fish tapeworms (Diphyllobothrium spp.). These worms are very common in BC fish. Thorough cooking and/or freezing will kill these parasites.

The black lines on salmon are melanized tissue, which contains no harmful compounds. It is sometimes referred to as the “fat line” because it looks like a thin, grayish line between the dark skin and the pink flesh when the fish is cut into.

Information. Trichina and other parasites can be destroyed by sub-zero freezing temperatures.

Nausea or vomiting. Gas or bloating. Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus) Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva.

What it is: Likely dark pigments (“melanin spots”) the salmon produced in response to a virus or other disturbance. Eat or toss: Melanin spots aren't dangerous to eat, but cut around them if they bother you. And never eat salmon that smells off or is slimy.

Fish tapeworm, or Diphyllobothrium spp, is acquired by eating raw or undercooked freshwater or anadromous fish (ie, sea fish that spawn in freshwater rivers, such as salmon). Marinated and smoked fish can also transmit the worm.

What is the GREY stuff in salmon? ›

This gray portion of the salmon is a layer of fatty muscle tissue that is low in the pink pigments found in the rest of the fish. This area contains more fat than the rest of the salmon—and it therefore is the most rich in omega-3 fatty acids, since salmon fat is high in omega-3s.

Reportedly, worms crawling around on packaged salmon for sale is normal. Experts say the fish needs to be cooked to kill the worms and other parasites. Still, most consumers who find worms on salmon purchased from Costco or any other retailer are bound to be repulsed.

The Salmon Story

It goes something like this: When Costco first established its meat department in 1987, a team was dedicated to creating a quality salmon fillet. The first product was a high-quality, skin-on fillet for $5.99 per pound — an excellent value — but the salmon team saw room for improvement.

However, eating raw or under cooked fish with a parasitic worm can pose a health risk. A spokesman from Winco said while it is not necessarily pleasant, there is nothing abnormal or harmful about finding a worm in seafood purchased from their stores.

The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

Costco imports its fish from Norway, where they grow it in contained areas.

After the sell-by date, you should have one to two extra days to eat the fish, as it's typically considered safe to keep in your refrigerator for one to two days after purchase.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists salmon as a known source of parasites, which are organisms that live on or in other organisms —including humans ( 1 ). Helminths are worm-like parasites similar to tapeworms or roundworms. They're common in finfish like salmon ( 2 ).

Intestinal worms, such as roundworms, can be found in both wild and farmed salmon, although farmed salmon is less likely to be infected. The most common type of worm found in salmon is Anisakis, which is a parasite caused by the ingestion of marine crustaceans such as krill, shrimp and squid.

The science behind freshwater or ocean fish consumption is fairly simple: freshwater fish, at least in the United States, tend to have more parasites.

What kills parasites in salmon? ›

Commercially frozen seafood is frozen solid at a temperature of -35 degrees and stored at this temperature or below for a minimum of 15 hours to kill parasites.

Four species of Pacific salmon, according to the study, are known to carry the Japanese tapeworm infections: chum salmon, masu salmon, pink salmon and sockeye salmon.

They resemble a threadlike worm poking out of the fish's skin, eyes or gills. If you can get a really close look, their bodies are forked, making them look like an uppercase “Y”.

In fact, they're not bones at all — they're calcified nerve endings that salmon use to sense other salmon swimming in close proximity. If you don't see the tiny white pin bones right away, all you have to do is run your bare fingers down the length of the fillet and you should easily feel them just under the surface.

There are a few things you should check check including the expiration date, how the salmon looks, how it smells, and how it feels. Salmon that is old or spoiled will look dull or gray and may have a white, filmy residue. In addition, it will have fishy or ammonia-like odor and a mushy or slimy texture.

The mucus is stretched thin and you'll see a mush similar in color to the pellets you feed. If your fish has not been eating, you will only see the mucus. This is the “stringy, white fish poop” in fish.

You can easily identify it by its movement, length, and color. Fish worms are shorter and is reddish, unlike fish veins. In most cases, you don't have to worry if you have eaten fish worms, especially when cooked. But if you experience abdominal pain or vomiting after eating a fish worm, you might want to see a doctor.

Are There Parasites in All Fish? Every kind of wild-caught fish can contain nematodes. One study found that more than 90% of certain types of wild-caught fish were infected with nematode larvae. Another concluded that one type of worm infecting fish around the globe is now 283 times more abundant than in the 1970s.

What are the signs and symptoms? The signs and symptoms of anisakiasis are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, diarrhea, blood and mucus in stool, and mild fever. Allergic reactions with rash and itching, and infrequently, anaphylaxis, can also occur.

Internal parasites will cause loss of appetite, listlessness and erratic swimming. Note redness, irritation and/or threadlike worms coming from the fish's tail area. If accompanied by bloating, these symptoms indicate a nematode infestation, also known as roundworm.

Can wild caught salmon have worms? ›

Every kind of wild fish can contain nematodes (roundworms). Some foodies love to promote wild or “line-caught” fish over fish slaughtered at aquafarms, but they may actually be more susceptible to parasites.

Worms And Sushi

The good news is that the worms are relatively harmless if consumed unknowingly by the public. Cooking a fillet for only 1 minute at 140 degrees will kill any worms, and if you freeze your fish for 60 hours, all worms will be killed.

Intestinal worms, such as roundworms, can be found in both wild and farmed salmon, although farmed salmon is less likely to be infected.

The white worms we occasionally spot in salmon fillets are parasites called roundworms. Though these worms are more noticeable in salmon due to the contrast in color, they can be found in many white fish too — they're just camouflaged. But we shouldn't be freaking out.

Species of large tuna that are considered free of parasites include: Albacore, Yellowfin, Blackfin, Bluefin, Bigeye, Longtail, and Karasick. Fluke, Grouper, Jack, Bass, Trout, small Tuna, and Salmon (aquacultured and wild) may contain parasites and should be frozen for parasite destruction.