Can You Eat Shrimp Raw From The Ocean?

Can you eat shrimp raw from the ocean? Shrimp is one of the most popular and most common kinds of seafood consumed all over the world. In many countries, shrimp is considered a delicacy. It’s a healthy dish containing several lean nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.

Eating raw shrimp from the ocean is not a good idea as health experts warn it may contain harmful bacteria and viruses, leading to several illnesses and even death. Consumers with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions to avoid raw shrimp. Cooked shrimp is safer to eat.

Shrimp is a popular seafood and delicacy enjoyed by many worldwide. However, consider several safety precautions when you eat shrimp, as it may contain various bacteria and viruses that could harm your health. Let’s explore shrimp in more detail to determine how safe it is to eat.

Is It Possible To Eat Raw Shrimp From The Ocean?

Can you eat shrimp raw from the ocean is a question many seafood lovers ask. Many cultures enjoy eating shrimp, but it may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites which could lead to food poisoning and other illnesses. Bacteria such as Bacillus, E. coli, Vibrio, or Salmonella cause most food poisoning cases, and all of them may be present in shrimp, whether raw or cooked.

These harmful bacteria and viruses in shrimp may lead to food poisoning or other health-related problems, like heart diseases and allergies, and could be fatal in rare cases. You should take extra precautions if you suffer from a weakened immune system. Especially elderly adults, pregnant women, and young children may be at risk of eating raw or poorly prepared shrimp.

Why Is It Considered Unsafe To Eat Raw Shrimp?

Food poisoning is common in America, and one in every six Americans experiences food poisoning yearly by eating raw shrimp and other seafood products. In a study, 55% of the shrimp contained a harmful bacterium called Vibrio that causes severe health conditions in humans. These conditions include infections, cholera, and gastroenteritis; many were proven resistant to antibiotics.

Always make sure you buy high-quality shrimp from reputable sources that were harvested, handled, and stored correctly. Shrimp contain high cholesterol levels, and excessive intake could possibly lead to heart-related illnesses and stroke. If you are not allergic to seafood, you should eat shrimp in moderation to avoid these health issues.

Even with the safest processes and cleaning techniques, health experts warn that there is never a 100% guarantee that shrimp can be bacteria and virus free. If you are living on the coast and catching your own shrimp or buying directly from onshore factories, rather cook shrimp as it is safer because it will destroy most harmful bacteria and viruses.

Is Shrimp Healthy And Nutritious?

Shrimp is healthy and nutritious because it contains nutrients like iodine and omega-3 fatty acids. It also includes a variety of minerals and vitamins, such as B12, iron, zinc, and magnesium, which are essential to maintain good health. Because it is low in calories and provides increased proteins, shrimp research has shown positive effects on human health in recent years.

While some claim that shrimp is unhealthy because it is high in cholesterol, new studies have shown that only a quarter of food consumers may suffer from cholesterol problems, making it safe for most consumers to eat shrimp.

Shrimp eat algae, and one of the components of the algae is called Astaxanthin which is responsible for the reddish color of the shrimp. This component helps to fight inflammation in humans and reduces the risk of several chronic diseases. It is an excellent aid in strengthening arteries and reducing heart attack risk. In addition, it prevents damage to brain cells which could lead to memory loss and Alzheimers.

While fresh, raw shrimp contains several nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, you should take care when you cook shrimp. Over-cooking may destroy most of the nutritional value of the shrimp and may even spoil the dish in totality by becoming mushy and rubbery and losing its taste.

How Popular Is Shrimp In The U.S.A.?

Americans have been eating more seafood in recent years, and shrimp is very popular. The average American consumes about 4.6 pounds every year. Shrimp is a versatile seafood that consumers can eat in many different ways. You can grill it on the barbecue, steam it, bake it, blend it into soup, or serve it raw as sushi. Whichever way you eat shrimp depends entirely on personal taste and preference.

Shrimp are harvested in two ways, either wild-caught or by farming. Most seafood gets imported from China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. With tropical conditions prevailing in these countries, shrimp are harvested by farming, and more than 90% of shrimp consumers eat from this source. Cold-water shrimp is wild caught in the northwestern and northeastern oceans of the U.S.A. and Canada.

How Are Wild-Caught Shrimp And Farmed Shrimp Processed?

Wild-caught shrimp are caught directly by fishermen from their natural ocean habitat. The shrimp are hauled onto trawlers and released on deck for sorting and washing. Damaged or dead shrimp get removed, while good shrimp are iced or frozen for further processing and certification. The iced or frozen shrimp then get transported by cold storage trucks to shrimp factories close to shore.

At the factory, the wild shrimp get sorted, graded for size, weight, and color, and processed further by either cooking or peeling. Any further processing must adhere to strict safety controls to prevent bacterial contamination. All handling and processing of shrimp must ideally be done within two days from capture to preserve the quality of taste and freshness.

Wild-caught shrimp are considered healthier and safer as they will never contain antibiotics. The correct cold chain process diminishes the health risk when consumed. Wild-caught shrimp is considered a better choice than farmed shrimp, but the problem is that most consumers in the United States obtain their shrimp from farmed sources.

Farmed shrimp are usually harvested in warm waters and imported from countries like China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Post-larval shrimp, usually only a few weeks after hatching, are removed from their natural ocean habitat and then raised in densely crowded ponds or tanks. This environment causes stress and can make the shrimp ill and vulnerable to viruses.

To counteract bacteria and viruses, some shrimp farmers use antibiotics to prevent contamination. Although the U.S. food control authorities prohibit antibiotics in imported seafood, contaminated shrimp may find their way into the food supply. However, with tighter environmental laws, shrimp farmers have re-evaluated their processes to ensure safer harvests and exporting to the U.S.A.

Shrimp are harvested once they are between three to six months old. Once harvested and ready to be transported, they are placed in crates submerged in a mixture of ice and water. Upon arrival at the processing plant, the shrimp are washed, cleaned, assessed, processed, packed in bags, and then frozen for export.

For shrimp connoisseurs, the quality and taste of wild-caught shrimp are essential factors, while for some consumers, the lower price of farmed shrimp may be a defining factor. From a health perspective, wild-caught shrimp are probably the better choice as there may be a lesser risk of contamination.

How To Ensure Raw Shrimp Is Good To Buy

Use the following guidelines to ensure you buy shrimp that are safe to eat.

Buy high-quality fresh shrimp from a reputable and trusted supplier.
The shrimp should have a firm texture and a salty smell.
The shell of the shrimp should be translucent with a light red or pinkish tint.
Avoid buying frozen shrimp if the package shows signs of frost or ice crystals.
Rinse the shrimp with cold water before cooking.
Cook the shrimp to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Shrimp are cooked when becoming an opaque color and curl up.
Make sure that you consume fresh shrimp within four days after purchase.

Conclusion

Shrimp is a popular dish worldwide. It is delicious, versatile, and used in various dishes, from appetizers to stew. Shrimp is a healthy dish because it contains several good nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Cooked shrimp is the safest way to eat it because raw shrimp can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses. When you eat or buy shrimp, follow all food safety guidelines.

References

Chrissie Smuts

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