Crustaceans like shrimp are consumed all around the world.
They have translucent, rigid shells that range in color from brown to grey.
Depending on the cultivar, they might have a soft or firm texture and a sweet flavor.
Despite being a favorite food across the globe, many individuals disagree that eating raw shrimp is safe.
Read on to learn more about eating raw shrimp is safe.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ A widely consumed shellfish is shrimp.
✅ However, eating it uncooked constitutes a health concern due to the possibility of it containing dangerous bacteria and viruses.
✅ While various methods for preparing raw shrimp can lower your chance of contracting food poisoning, only full cooking can eradicate bacteria and viruses.
Raw shrimp: Is it okay?
Around the world, numerous civilizations consume raw shrimp. The fluid inside of their skulls is regarded as a delicacy in some areas. In China, this shellfish is occasionally consumed live after being soaked in a potent liquor known as baijiu, in contrast to Japan, where fresh sashimi made of raw shrimp is frequently found.
However, shrimp may be contaminated with germs, viruses, and parasites that cause diseases or food poisoning.
Nevertheless, shrimp make up 55% of all aquacultured seafood globally and are one of the most popular shellfish in the United States. Additionally, it’s a wonderful provider of a number of minerals, such as iodine, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Still, frying at a high temperature is the only way to eradicate any potentially present hazardous bacteria and viruses in shrimp.
Risks associated with consuming raw shrimp
Every year, one in six Americans gets food poisoning. Your chance of contracting food illness and food contamination rises when you eat raw shrimp.
Dangerous bacterias
Oftentimes, the Vibrio bacterium is present in raw shrimp. There are more than 70 species, and 12 of them have been linked to human sickness. According to a study of 299 raw shrimp samples, 55% of them had potentially dangerous Vibrio species that can cause cholera, gastritis, and other diseases. In addition, a study on shrimp raised on farms discovered 100 Vibrio strains, many of which were resistant to antibiotics.
100% of the shrimp in an assessment of 10 Nigerian seafood processing facilities contained Bacillus bacteria, which is frequently linked to diarrhea and vomiting.
Could result in severe illness
A frequent condition linked to eating foods contaminated with bacteria is food poisoning. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, stomach pains, and vomiting. In reality, Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, or Bacillus—all of which are present in raw shrimp—cause over 90% of cases of food poisoning.
Additionally, eating raw shellfish like shrimp is a common source of the dangerous sickness norovirus.
Globally, 1 billion cases of food poisoning involving diarrhea happen each year. Each year, foodborne infections alone cause about 5,000 fatalities in the United States.
As a result, older people, pregnant women, and young children should take extra precautions to stay away from raw or undercooked shrimp as these groups may have weakened immune systems and are therefore more likely to contract a fatal illness.
How to safely prepare shrimp
Raw shrimp should not be consumed due to the possibility of food poisoning. Therefore, the safest way to eat shrimp is thoroughly cooked.
It’s best to get premium shrimp from a recognized supplier because poor harvesting, processing, and storage practices might raise the danger of contamination. A label verifying safe processing in conformity with food safety regulations should be sought.
Fresh shrimp should be frozen for up to five months or kept in the refrigerator and used within four days. Taking the frozen shrimp out of its packaging and putting it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours is the safest way to thaw it. Thus, the transmission of dangerous microorganisms is reduced.
To prepare, thoroughly wash your shrimp because any dirt could hide the disease. Also, keep other food items a safe distance away to avoid cross-contamination.
These methods won’t eradicate all of the present germs, but they may slow the growth of some hazardous bacteria. Therefore, uncooked shrimp still carry a danger of sickness even when prepared carefully.
Instead, cook shrimp until they are completely opaque, have a pink tint, or are 1450°F (63°C) internal temperature.
The majority of dangerous germs and viruses are destroyed during cooking.