John Myers
At least since sushi has been so popular with us, raw fish has been a regular part of the menu. After all, fish is healthy – isn’t it? We explain who should better stay away from raw fish.
Fish is an integral part of our plates: in Germany, we eat around 13 kilograms of fish and fish products per capita per year. Basically, fish is a good source of nutrients for protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. However, the high consumption levels are not without consequences and some people should be careful with raw fish in particular.
(Raw) fish is not always a good idea
When choosing the fish, you should take a close look, regardless of whether you eat it raw or cooked. Many species of fish are severely overfished, such as bluefin tuna or eel. The WWF’s fish guide offers good help for eating fish sustainably. This is constantly updated and shows which fish you can still buy.
Fish is a delicate and perishable foodstuff. You should therefore buy fish fresh and eat it quickly, or buy it frozen. In the frozen fish test, we were able to recommend some brands of cod and Alaska pollock.
Avoid raw fish during pregnancy
Sushi, sashimi, or ceviche: Raw fish is not recommended for pregnant women. The reason is listeria; these bacteria are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. They can cause blood poisoning and meningitis and harm the unborn child.
According to the Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR), raw animal foods such as raw fish, raw meat, and raw milk cheese are primarily contaminated with Listeria. Smoked (e.g. smoked salmon) or pickled fish can also be contaminated with Listeria. Pregnant women should therefore avoid it.
Please do not serve raw fish to children under the age of 5
Raw fish and raw seafood such as oysters are not recommended for small children up to five years of age and babies – fortunately, the little ones at this age are not too big gourmets anyway.
The avoidance of the foods mentioned is not only justified by possible listeria, other germs can also collect on raw fish. There is less danger here for adults, but the immune system of the little ones is not yet fully developed.
