Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Saira Farman
Is it safe to eat raw seafood? It’s a question many people ask themselves when they are planning their next meal. Eating uncooked seafood can be risky, but there are ways to enjoy the health benefits of eating this type of food while also being safe.
In this article, we’ll share some tips for making seafood dishes safer to eat. First, you’d have to make sure you only consider reputable vendors when looking for fresh seafood in Melbourne, Sydney or other parts of Australia.
Things to Consider
There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to eat raw seafood. The first is that some types of seafood are more risky than others. For example, oysters and clams can contain harmful bacteria that can make you sick if they’re not cooked properly. Crab and lobster also have a higher risk of carrying harmful bacteria, so it’s important to cook them thoroughly before eating.
Another thing to consider is your personal health history. If you’ve ever had a foodborne illness, you should avoid eating raw seafood altogether. Pregnant women should also be careful about what they eat, as they may be more susceptible to food poisoning from uncooked seafood.
What to Do to Ensure Seafood Is Safe to Eat
If you decide to cook your seafood dishes yourself, be sure to follow safe cooking practises. Use a food thermometer to make sure that fish and shellfish are cooked through and avoid cross contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw and cooked seafood (more on this later).
- First, be sure the seafood you’re getting is fresh. With fish, for example, look at the gills; they should be moist and bright red in colour. The eyes should look clear and bulging.
- As mentioned early in this article, be sure to only get from reputable sellers if you decide to purchase online.
- Secure the seafood you bought in airtight containers for no longer than two days. After that, you’d have to put them inside the fridge.
- Store live lobsters, oysters, clams and other seafood in ventilated containers.
- Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly when preparing the food.
- Separate raw from cooked seafood. For instance, use different cutting boards and other utensils for each.
If you’re not comfortable preparing raw seafood at home, there are plenty of restaurants that offer safe options. It’s okay to ask about the preparation methods used in the kitchen before ordering. With a little bit of caution, you can enjoy the many health benefits of eating raw seafood safely.
We hope this article has helped give you information to make sure the food you eat at home is safe for everyone. If after reading this post, you’re still unsure if raw seafood is right for your family, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Our team would be happy to guide you through what type of seafood might be safer than others—or even how cooking methods could affect the safety level of the food! click here.
