Is sushi safe to eat?

Hi Kristin,

Thanks so much for the help! I'm the same as you. I always hear warnings about eating raw fish, but I love sushi so much I would just hate to let it go. 

Love the chart you included! That's really helpful to see all the sushi fish broken down into different categories.

Thanks!!

Hi Erin!

Thank you for sharing your question with the EmpowHER community! I love sushi and so does my whole family! As much as I love sushi, I can't ignore the disclaimer on the menu about consuming raw fish. But, I eat it anyways!! 

If you eat raw fish that is contaminated, foodborne illness can be the result, potentially causing severe vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other symptoms. Eating raw fish or seafood can lead to food poisoning such as salmonella and Vibrio vulnificus. Overall, eating sushi is safe, however there is a risk that your favorite restaurant could come in contact with some bad fish.

A good rule of thumb is to eat fish that has been cooked to 145 degrees. Those individuals with compromised immune systems or with decreased stomach acidity, as well as pregnant women and infants should do their best to avoid eating raw seafood. 

It's really a personal choice Erin. I love sushi so much that I wouldn't be able to say no. I bet if I ever got salmonella or food poisoning, I'd feel very differently though. 

A word of caution if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant or breast feeding-you need to avoid certain fish that is high in mercury. I included a link to fish that is high in mercury for your review.  

http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/sushi.pdf

Does this help?

Best,

Kristin