Parasites

Challenges and trouble-shooting
avalon
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Parasites

Post by avalon »

As I've written before, I really love Sushi!

And I'm no Sushi chef. So I have been searching for info on checking fish for parasites, and what happens if I should eat a contaminated fish. Especially when 'raw' is the way to go and not pre-frozen... I thought I would share this page with everyone, for knowledge sake.

http://www.charkbait.com/article/RAPC2.htm

I don't plan to give up sushi, but sometimes it's a little scary!

Avalon
avalon
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Post by avalon »

What about this?

"To: Seafood HACCP Listserv

On April 30, 2001 there was an inquiry regarding raw fish for sushi and
parasite hazards.

The inquiry was forwarded to Dr. Ann Adams (US Food and Drug
Administration), who is not subscribed to this listserv. Dr. Adams
responded directly to the inquirer, and is sharing her response with the
rest of the seafood HACCP listserv community.

Regards,
Pamela Tom, Listserv Co-owner

-----Original Message-----
From: Adams, Ann M
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2001 11:27 AM
To: 'takahagi@mail.jfc.com'
Subject: Sushi and sashimi

Dear Tsuyako:

FDA has some regulations for processors and others that require
them to consider hazards posed by parasites. If they have reasonable
knowledge that their product will be used in a raw or undercooked form,
they must deal with the parasites. This is usually done by freezing.
What this regulation means is that if a processor or distributor sells
fish to a grocery store with the intent that the consumer would cook the
fish, the processor or distributor does not have to consider the hazards
posed by parasites. However, if they sold to a sushi restaurant, then
parasites must be considered.

There are some exclusions for particular fish species found to
have a negligible risk of transmitting parasites. Primarily, those are
the larger tunas, such as the yellowfin and bluefin. Skipjack tuna are
not exempt.

At the present time, these regulations are not being enforced as
FDA reconsiders the risks associated with the raw fish products, but since
the enforcement can be re-instituted at any time, I would suggest that any
company proceed as if the regulations are in force.

As for sushi and sashimi, I suggest the following: maguro, made
from the deep flesh of the tuna is essentially safe to eat raw and
unfrozen. However, salmon has a high probability of having anisakid
nematodes and most of the infections in the US that occurred from the
consumption of sushi involved salmon. Therefore, I strongly suggest that
regardless of the status of the regulations, the salmon intended for sushi
or sashimi be frozen beforehand. Other types of sushi and sashimi may
also pose hazards because of the larval nematodes. Sushi made from
mackerel has a good chance of having the worms and should be frozen first.
"Shiromi" is usually made from sea bass in Japan, but in the US, the
shiromi may be made from rockfish (Pacific snapper). This latter fish
should be frozen before use. In general, I'm very selective about the
types of sushi that I will eat and there are those that I want frozen
before they are used in sushi. The texture is changed slightly by the
freezing, but it beats having an endoscope down your throat to remove the
worms. (No, if you get infected with the anisakid nematodes, there are no
drugs available to treat the infection. They must be removed by
endoscopy.)

Hope this answers your questions. If not, please feel free to
contact me and I'll see what I can do for you.

Ann Adams, Ph.D.
Parasitologist
E-mail: AAdams@ORA.FDA.GOV "
Corinne
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Location: Boone, NC
Contact:

Post by Corinne »

I would like to know how to check for parasites.
I don't eat salmon because I don't like it. But I like tuna (no problems) and Mackerel. Apparently mackerel can carry this worm. I buy fresh mackerel at the market and although I'm not sure, I belive it hasn't been frozen as it is most lickely intended for cooked consumption...It's tastes very fresh and delicious but I don't know if it carries parasites or not...
However if I could know how to simply check such a fish for parasites this would be great.
Do you think it's still possible to write this person with questions?
avalon
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Post by avalon »

Good Morning Corrine,

Never hurts to try to make contact.

It seems then, some use 'light' to see through the fish and find parasites. I wonder if either purchasing or making a home-made lightbox, maybe using a see through cutting board? It could be used for checking and slicing the fish. Like one used for view negatives.

Perhaps there are chef secrets out there, that-away, we can discover.

Avalon
Cairidh
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Post by Cairidh »

When people who have been on raw vegan diets for at least a year are tested they're completely free of parasites. All cooked food eaters have some parasites. I don't know if it's the same for raw animal food eaters, but I'm pretty sure parasites wouldn't be as harmful to them as to cooked food eaters. And it would be safer, re parasites, to eat 100% raw diet including raw fish, than a diet that includes cooked fish.

If you're that bothered try marinating the fish in lemon juice for a few hours. It changes the taste/texture completely but it's supposed to kill parasites.
Cairidh
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Post by Cairidh »

some anti parasitics are: garlic, coconut oil, fresh coconut, colloidal silver, ozone
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Oscar
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Post by Oscar »

A quote from the free acne book:

"In the main there are two kinds of parasites to look out for in raw fish: flukes and nematodes.

Flukes are too big to remain unnoticed. They also are extremely rare.

Nematodes look like big, but short human hair (25-150 mm long, 2 mm in diameter). They lie perpendicular to the fishes' muscle striations (the pattern of striae in the flesh) and have a white translucent sheen. Any merchant - who wants to make sure his customers will not get ill - can detect them using ultrasound. There has been only one case ever of someone who had absorbed nematodes from sashimi.

The risk of absorbing parasites that can cause ill effects is extremely small; less than 40 US citizens get ill each year by consuming fish containing parasites. In comparison: every year thousands of US citizens are bitten by snakes."
avalon
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Post by avalon »

And I am aware that even if infected, it may not be a big deal...

But for us simple folk, honestly. when I go to a sushi bar, I think nothing of it. I am more concerned however (because of less knowlege) when I bring it home.

As I get more used to it and more relaxed about it, I'm sure i won't worry.

I have been trying to get a neighbor friend to try raw yolks, but he is stuborn!

There you go.

Avalon
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Oscar
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Post by Oscar »

Most people are grossed out by the thought of eating raw egg yolk, but I'm sure that if you mix it with OJ or mashed banana, it won't be that much of a problem. :)
avalon
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Post by avalon »

I try and tell him/them it's like a sunny side-up egg!

But not as hot :)
Bambi726
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Location: California

Post by Bambi726 »

Hello, all :)

Here are some parasite remedies that I know of:

ZAPPERS - These are interesting little devices that apply gentle electricty to one's body for the purpose of cleansing of all kinds of parasites. I've only had mine for 5 days, but I've noticed quite a difference in my motvation to exercise/(including walk), which i suppose means I have more energy. We shall see:) You can just search for "parasite zapper," or go to one of these websites:
http://www.ghchealth.com/parasite-zapper.php (Has a good description of what a zapper is/does)
http://www.toolsforhealing.com/products ... ePage.html (This is where I got mine - I got the "Mini-Zapper")
http://www.zapperplans.com/ (You can get one for $10 on this site, including s/h - It's not quite as easy to use as the MiniZapper, though)

DR. NATURA "COLONIX" - This includes an herbal formulation, an herbal fiber supplement(that actually tastes ok), and herbal tea that all support parasite removal. I got some worms in my stool when using this!(:shock:) It's also quite good at getting a sluggish bowel moving. (Only for those not on the strict diet, obviously, because of the herbs and fiber.)

There are a lot of different herbal formulations online, many of them include the following herbs/spices: Wormwood(be careful with this one though), Black Walnut Hulls, Cloves, garlic, onion, ginger, pumpkin seed, Grapefruit Seed, Peppermint, Olive Leaf...

Some also use Apple Cider Vinegar to prevent parasites.

Eating raw animal foods is definately worth the risk of getting parasites to me - but risk management by taking steps to prevent/stop infestation is also important and, for me, is a part of being responsible for my own health.

:)

~Amber
avalon
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Post by avalon »

I believe I just found a worm in a piece of frozen Ahi Tuna. It was stringy , flat and semi transparent. It's not the 'fat' of the tuna. It doen not appear alive. I now have a serious question for you guys and gals before I start googling...

Now that it is out of the fish, and I see no other evidence...does one throw the fish away, or eat it? The fish has been in my freezer for over a week.

Thanx,

avalon

I put it in a plastic container in the frige and will try and take pics for reference.
avalon
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Post by avalon »

Well, it seems from what I've read, if it's dead I have nothing to worry about...

"Not much to worry about
Even if freezing didn't do such a good job of deep-sixing parasites, only a few fish would present any real problems.
Tuna, for instance, live too far from land to mingle with seals and pick up many worms. Salmon and rockfish are another
story, says Ann Adams, a parasitologist at the Food and Drug Administration's seafood products research center in
Bothell, Washington. In Adam's 1994 study of sushi in Seattle, 10 percent of the salmon pieces checked had anisakids --
usually just one, but sometimes two or three. Among the rockfish pieces, only one out of 30 samples was inhabited. On
a happier note, all but one of these worms were dead or dying -- not really a surprise since they'd been frozen stiff.
As for supermarket salmon and rockfish, no one's done a systematic survey, but the worms show up occasionally. "I've
seen them in rockfish at my neighborhood market," Price says. "Right next to the overwrap, crawling around." People
who are planning to cook the fish have nothing to worry about. Dead, the things are harmless and don't affect the taste.
Price, a freshness fanatic, is actually happy to see live wrigglers. "It's a good way to tell that the fish hasn't been frozen."
Even if someone happens to swallow a live worm, there's not that much to worry about. In the normal course of events,
a swallowed anisakid goes right through the body. "Probably you and I have swallowed one and never knew it," Price
says. "

Eggs are easy.

Avalon
avalon
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Post by avalon »

This picture is not to freak anyone out.

They used to say "What the skys" You know, like for aliens!

But watch your fish!!! "He's dead, Jim!"

My first sushi worm, from a piece of vacum packed frozen Ahi Tuna.

Image

And I ate the fish after looking REAL GOOD :)
avalon
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Post by avalon »

I just wanted to share something from another list. A nice way to view parasites...
I believe that the eggs of parasites exist in many physical elements of our
planet. Like in the water, the air, and the earth, as well as in different
tissues and bones etc.

I don't feel that we can get away from them since their presence is
everywhere. The little microscopic ones that live in our eyelashes, on our
skin end up in our carpets and bedding. And of course when we have pets,
there are other critters that the pets have as well.

I used to feel very concerned about all of this, and to the point that I
studied parasitology with Hazel Parcels in New Mexico for two years and also
I studied parasitology with several other teachers over a course of a few
years.

I myself went to great lengthy measures to get rid of a 36 foot beef tape
worm that I had. I have some writings on this if anyone is interested in my
experience with this situation. I did find that parasites are very tenuous
and thus very difficult to get rid of when there is a reason for them to be
in a certain place in your body. I personally believe that there are all
kinds of reasons for their existence besides physical reasons. I believe
there are in fact emotional and spiritual reasons for them as well.

I now do not fuss about them anymore. I trust that when they are no longer
necessary for my healing, that they will leave or stay depending on what is
the best for my body. I trust in nature and divinity enough to be willing to
receive all of it. Though I do grumble and complain at times even though I
trust that everything is for my healing.

blessings, Daleena.
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