Is Trader Joe’s Norwegian Salmon Safe To Eat?
As a seafood lover, I frequently browse the frozen fish section at my local Trader Joe’s. Their wild-caught salmon fillets always catch my eye, especially the fresh Norwegian salmon. But is Trader Joe’s imported Norwegian salmon safe to eat raw or cooked? Let’s investigate where this salmon comes from and whether it’s a smart choice.
The Benefits of Norwegian SalmonNorway has a long history of salmon farming in the cold, clear waters along its coast. In fact Norway is one of the world’s largest producers of farmed Atlantic salmon.
The Norwegian aquaculture industry is heavily regulated by the government to protect the pristine ocean environment. Strict controls are placed on water quality, fish densities, and use of medications
Norwegian law also requires that all farmed salmon be vaccinated against diseases. And Norwegian fish farmers focus on more sustainable feeding practices to reduce pollution.
Additionally, Norway’s cold water temperatures help produce firm, flavorful salmon. The cold slows growth, resulting in a leaner, firmer fish.
For all these reasons, Norwegian salmon is prized worldwide for its premium quality and rich taste. Trader Joe’s is able to import freshly farmed salmon direct from Norway’s well-managed operations.
Potential Concerns with Imported Salmon
However, some concerns have been raised over salmon imports in general:
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Salmon farmed in other countries may have higher antibiotic or chemical use due to lax regulations.
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Imported fish isn’t always handled properly during long-distance shipping. Poor temperature controls can lead to spoilage.
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The long journey increases the risk of cross-contamination with other seafood in the cargo hold.
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It’s harder to verify health and safety practices of foreign fish farms.
But Trader Joe’s has a reputation for strict supplier standards, so these concerns are likely minimized. Their direct Norwegian imports are monitored for quality and freshness.
Assessing Trader Joe’s Norwegian Salmon’s Safety
According to their website, Trader Joe’s requires all their seafood suppliers to pass a third-party audit each year. Their standards even exceed government regulations in some cases.
Their Norwegian salmon ticks all the boxes:
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Wild-caught in Norway’s well-managed, sustainable fisheries
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Shipped overnight direct from Norway to ensure freshness
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Quickly frozen after catch to maintain quality and lock in nutrients
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Rigorously inspected to meet Trader Joe’s seafood specifications
Additionally, farmed Norwegian salmon is tested more than any other salmon in the world. One study tested samples from Norway, Chile, Britain and Canada. The Norwegian salmon had by far the lowest levels of contaminants.
The pride Norwegians have in their salmon farming shows in the unmatched quality of their fish. Trader Joe’s has tapped into the source, providing customers with some of the world’s finest salmon.
Recommendations for Safe Consumption
Trader Joe’s Norwegian salmon is very likely to be safe for consumption. But here are a few tips for safe eating:
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Check expiration dates and don’t eat anything expired
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Inspect the fish when raw – it should have a sheen and no off odors
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Cook to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill any potential bacteria
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When eating raw, use fresh not frozen, and only buy sushi or sashimi grade fish
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For added protection, freeze salmon for 7 days at -4°F to kill parasites before eating raw
With proper handling, the risks of illness from imported salmon are very low. Trader Joe’s Norwegian salmon is a smart choice for shoppers.
The Verdict on Trader Joe’s Norwegian Salmon
Based on Norway’s strict farming regulations, Trader Joe’s supplier standards, and customer reports, their Norwegian salmon appears to be an extremely safe, high-quality option.
While any raw seafood carries some minimal risks, Trader Joe’s Norwegian salmon ticks all the boxes for safety and freshness when handled properly. The rich, buttery flavor of the salmon makes it worth the premium price.
For quality salmon with the cool, pristine waters of Norway behind it, Trader Joe’s Norwegian salmon is a tasty choice you can feel good about. Grill it, bake it, pan sear it, or enjoy it raw – this salmon is primed for any preparation. Just don’t miss out on these delicious fillets next time you’re in the freezer aisle!
Low antibiotics, pesticides and heavy metals
Concerns have been raised about the amount of antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metals in salmon in both Norway and Sweden.
Swedes said that the amounts of these chemicals in salmon were very low, so they didn’t think they were dangerous to health.
“When it comes to pesticides, levels increased after the amount of vegetable matter in salmon feed was increased. But the levels are so low that they are undetectable in a salmon fillet,” Hallström says.
The Swedish researchers also assessed the climate footprint associated with producing Norwegian salmon. This has also been an issue in Sweden.
Some people say that salmon raised in farms is one of the worst foods for greenhouse gas emissions.
The researchers found that Norwegian salmon has increased its climate footprint in the last decade. It has a somewhat higher climate footprint than Swedish-produced chicken and pork. But compared to similar meat products produced in Europe, the climate footprint is lower.
And farmed salmon have a significantly lower climate footprint than red meat.
It was made clear by the researchers, though, that they did not look into issues of animal welfare, health, or the impact of farmed salmon on wild salmon.
Translated by: Nancy Bazilchuk
Source:
Elinor Hallström, Friederike Ziegler, Maria Åberg: Näringsinnhåll, oönskade ämnen och klimatavtryck av odlat lax – en vetenskaplig sammanställning. (Nutritional content, unwanted substances and climate footprints of farmed salmon – a scientific compilation). Report from RISE Institute of Sweden, 2020.
Sciencenorway. no brings you science news from Norway. This is the English version of forskning. no, Norway’s independent, online newspaper on science. Sciencenorway. no har artikler fra forskning. no på engelsk.
Dioxins add an element of uncertainty
To be fair, farmed salmon is still a healthy food choice, but it also contains a lot of chemicals that we might not want to eat, one example being dioxins.
These are environmental pollutants that accumulate in the body. Long-term exposure to foods containing dioxins can weaken the immune system, lower fertility, raise the risk of getting cancer, and change the balance of hormones.
Researchers found that dioxin levels in farmed salmon have gone down since they switched from fishmeal and fish oil to more plant-based feed.
But dioxins are still something that we should pay attention to, Hallström said.
“Oily fish, including salmon, account for half of the consumption of dioxins in Sweden,” she said.
In the past, it was said that eating oily fish generally was better for you than the risks from dioxins. But now authorities are reconsidering the documentation on this issue,” she says.
Trader Joe’s Salmon vs. “Sushi-Grade”: Is It Worth the Splurge?
FAQ
How safe is Norwegian farmed salmon?
Is Norwegian smoked salmon safe to eat?
Where does the salmon from Trader Joe’s come from?
What happened to Norwegian salmon?
How much does salmon cost at Trader Joe’s?
With a score of 6.4, the second-highest rating went to a Trader Joe’s farmed salmon from Norway ($10.99/lb.). In fact, all of the top five finishers were farmed, averaging between twelve to thirteen dollars per pound. Meanwhile the bottom three on the list were all wild salmon, with an average price between fourteen and seventeen dollars per pound.
What is the healthiest salmon to buy at Trader Joe’s?
The healthiest, yummiest salmon you can buy is Wild-Caught Pacific/Alaska Salmon, and thankfully TJ’s has an excellent selection of frozen fillets, smoked and canned, as you’ll see below! What is the Best Salmon to Buy at Trader Joe’s? Frozen wild-caught fillets will give you the closest thing to fresh salmon you can get.
Can you get sick from eating Norwegian farmed salmon?
Norwegian farmed salmon doesn’t carry parasites, so there’s no risk of getting sick from eating it raw. Norwegian fish farms are different than here. According to chef and nutritionist Julie Harrington, “Farm-raised salmon from Norway is raised in its natural habitat and not a cramped pool of fish swimming on top of each other.
Does Trader Joes sell farm raised salmon?
Trader Joes sells farm raised salmon raised without antibiotics. However, additional information about Trader Joe’s farmed salmon is not available. The latest information about Trader Joes standards is from 2013, and it states that they are in the process of working with their suppliers to generate standards. (9)