Sushi lovers may want to put down the chopsticks after study finds alarming number of parasites in tuna
Researchers examined 53 samples of locally caught skipjack tuna and found that 96% contained parasites.
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THE TAKEAWAY
- In a recent study, Brazilian scientists found that nearly all the sushi-grade tuna they examined were infested with parasitic worms.
- Researchers examined 53 samples of locally caught skipjack tuna and found that 96% contained parasites.
- The parasites were found throughout the fish, including in portions commonly consumed by people.
Sushi lovers may be getting more than just raw fish with their favorite delicacy.
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In a recent study, Brazilian scientists found that nearly all the sushi-grade tuna they examined were infested with parasitic worms, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with eating raw fish.
Parasites were found throughout tuna, including in portions commonly consumed by people. (get. Photographer: Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
"The presence of parasites in fish poses a serious health problem," researchers noted in the study. "Some parasites exhibit zoonotic behavior, potentially harming human health if ingested."
Researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil examined 53 samples of locally caught skipjack tuna, also known as Katsuwonus pelamis, and found that a whopping 96% contained parasites.
The parasites were found throughout the fish, including in portions commonly consumed by people. The researchers found them in the intestine, muscle tissue and stomach, with more than 1,400 parasites detected in the stomach alone.
In a recent study, Brazilian scientists found that nearly all sushi-grade tuna was infested with parasitic worms. (Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
The scientists who published their findings in the journal Ocean and Coastal Research, used stereomicroscopy, traditional microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to examine the fish samples.
Their analysis identified two genera of zoonotic parasites, Nematoda and Trypanorhyncha.
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What concerned the researchers was not the presence of parasites in raw fish, but the sheer number of parasites discovered and how widely they spread throughout the tuna.
The tuna products tested in the study. (Ocean Coast. Res. / FOX Weather)
The findings suggest that even after the fish are handled and examined by seafood processors and sushi chefs, the tiny parasites can migrate to other parts of the fish.
"These results highlight the importance of sanitary inspection and emphasize the importance of immediate evisceration to avoid the migration of larvae," the researchers said.
Skipjack tuna is one of the most widely caught tuna species in the world.
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According to the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, it accounts for about 58% of the global tuna catch and is used in products ranging from canned tuna to sushi.
The researchers found worms in the intestine, muscle tissue and stomach. (Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Eating raw or undercooked fish can expose people to foodborne illnesses and parasites, which can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
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Fortunately, many parasitic infections can be treated, and some symptoms may resolve as the parasites die. However, health officials recommend thoroughly cooking fish to reduce the risk of consuming harmful parasites.
"Knowledge of fish parasites is essential for proper sanitary inspection, as pathogenesis in humans can occur by exploitative, toxic or mechanical action," the researchers said.