Chances are, you’ve heard about the benefits of salmon. It’s on the Amos Institute’s list of SMASH fish, which stands for salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and herring. These are fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation, and low in mercury. Salmon has extensive benefits that range from the cellular to tissue to organ to whole system levels. At the smallest cellular level, the omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon support healthy cellular membranes. In terms of a larger picture, the Mediterranean diet, which includes a lot of fish like salmon, is the best way to stay healthy and live a long time. The point is, there are so many reasons to include salmon into your nutrition regimen.
The issue is, the health benefits of salmon only apply to wild caught salmon. Much of the salmon available to us at the grocery store is farmed. Wild caught salmon is just what it sounds like: salmon that is caught in its wild, natural environment. Instead, farmed salmon comes from fish farms, which are places where a lot of fish are raised for people to eat. The issue is the very high levels of toxins in farmed salmon, which not only void the health benefits of salmon but also add to our toxic body load. Farmed salmon is high in contaminants such as PCBs, dioxins, and PBDEs, among other endocrine disrupting toxins (1,2,3). The research connecting our body’s toxic burden to the chronic diseases of aging continues to flourish.
Still, we should only eat salmon that was caught in the wild so that we don’t hurt our bodies more than help them. Around here at the Amos Institute, we’re always looking for wild-caught fish options. Recently, one of our board members was at his local Trader Joe’s and saw a bunch of salmon in the frozen fish section. He was most interested in Trader Joes Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fillets and Natural Wild Salmon Silver Coho Salmon Portions because they had the word “wild” in them. He asked a worker if either of these choices was wild-caught because they both said “wild,” but neither said “wild caught.” He was interested and knew that labels could be confusing. The worker told the manager about it, and the manager looked up the two kinds of salmon in their system. However, he found that neither of them said “wild-caught.” The manager was kind enough to point us in the direction of the Trader Joe’s corporate office, which is who we called about the wild caught problem.
We were happy to hear that Trader Joe’s corporate office got back to us right away and confirmed that both the Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon fillets and the Natural Wild Salmon Silver Coho Salmon Portions are indeed wild caught. Lastly, I should say that they are very cheap compared to most wild-caught salmon. This makes eating healthy food more accessible to smart and knowledgeable shoppers.
Why is this news, you might ask? Well, for one, labeling matters. If you’re not sure if something is what you think it is, ask! If you don’t get an answer, keep looking until you do. You are responsible for your own health. We also wanted to share this story to thank Trader Joe’s for having a cheap option for wild caught salmon and for having great customer service. We really appreciate it. It’s for reasons like this that we at the Amos Institute recommend lots of great Trader Joe’s products!.
Is Trader Joe’s Salmon Safe To Eat Raw?
As someone who loves sushi I occasionally get cravings for raw salmon. But I’m always hesitant about eating raw fish from just anywhere. When I spotted the glistening salmon fillets at my local Trader Joe’s a question entered my mind – can you safely eat Trader Joe’s salmon raw?
In this article, we’ll examine the potential risks of raw salmon, how to choose salmon safe for raw consumption, and whether TJ’s salmon in particular can be eaten raw.
The Risks of Eating Raw Salmon
Eating raw salmon became popular thanks to its inclusion in sushi and poke bowls. However, raw salmon does pose certain risks including:
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Bacteria like salmonella that can cause food poisoning
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Parasitic worms like Anisakis that can lead to abdominal pain or allergic reactions
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Other contaminants that spark reactions in those allergic to seafood
Raw salmon contains a natural parasite called Anisakis. When salmon is frozen or cooked to an internal temp of 145°F, this parasite is killed. But if eaten raw, they can infect your digestive system.
For safest consumption, salmon should be cooked thoroughly or flash frozen to destroy any potential pathogens.
Is Trader Joe’s Salmon Safe for Raw Consumption?
Trader Joe’s is a trusted grocery store when it comes to seafood standards. However, they don’t specifically state that their fresh, non-frozen salmon can be eaten raw.
The package lacks any mention of “sushi-grade” or that it’s safe to eat raw. So to be cautious, their fresh salmon is likely intended for cooking only.
While you could likely eat it raw with low risk, there’s no guarantee from TJ’s that their fresh salmon meets the guidelines for safe raw consumption. Save their fresh salmon to bake, grill, or pan sear instead!
Choosing Salmon Safe To Eat Raw
If you do want to eat salmon raw, follow these guidelines to choose quality fish:
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Select wild-caught salmon, especially sockeye or Alaskan salmon, as it has fewer parasites than farmed Atlantic salmon.
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Look for certification that it is sushi-grade, frozen to FDA standards to kill bacteria and parasites.
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Check the color – it should look vibrant orange-red, not brown or dull.
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Give it a sniff – it should have a mild scent like the ocean, not fishy or sour odors.
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Ensure proper refrigerated storage below 40°F.
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Confirm it’s before the expiration date, and don’t eat if expired.
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Buy from reputable sellers like quality fish markets you trust.
While these steps reduce the risk, eating raw fish always comes with some degree of hazard.
Is Trader Joe’s Frozen Salmon Safe for Raw Consumption?
While TJ’s fresh salmon is not recommended for raw consumption, their frozen wild-caught sockeye salmon fillets are labeled as sushi-grade.
Frozen at ultra-low temperatures, this effectively kills any parasites or bacteria that could be harmful if eaten raw. As long as the frozen fish is properly thawed, these frozen fillets can be safely eaten raw.
To safely thaw TJ’s frozen sushi-grade salmon:
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Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
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Place sealed package under cold running water for 1-2 hours.
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Thaw in the microwave if cooking immediately after.
Once thawed using these methods, consume the raw salmon within 1-2 days for optimal safety and quality.
Types of Salmon Considered Safe To Eat Raw
To take extra precaution, you can stick to eating raw salmon from trusted sushi restaurants or the following recommended varieties:
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Wild-caught Alaskan salmon – Less exposure to contaminants than farmed salmon
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Loch Duart salmon – Sustainably raised in pristine Scottish waters
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Organic ocean-raised salmon – Pristine environments produce exceptionally clean fish
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Fresh Norwegian salmon – Strict regulations and cold waters yield excellent sushi salmon
When sourcing raw salmon, always opt for wild-caught, sushi-grade or sustainably farmed fish handled according to highest standards.
The Takeaway: Raw Salmon Safety Tips
While raw salmon is unlikely to make you sick, it’s always smart to take precautions:
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Choose reputable sushi-grade or wild-caught salmon
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Check the smell, color, texture
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Store properly below 40°F
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Freeze raw salmon 7+ days to kill any parasites
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Avoid if pregnant or have a compromised immune system
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Consume raw fish within 1-2 days of thawing
With the right handling, prep and storage, you can enjoy raw salmon reasonably safely. But if in doubt, cook salmon thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F. By following these tips, you can feel confident eating raw salmon from Trader Joe’s and other reputable sellers.
Trader Joe’s Salmon vs. “Sushi-Grade”: Is It Worth the Splurge?
FAQ
Is it OK to eat store bought salmon raw?
Is it safe to eat undercooked salmon?
Can you eat raw ready to eat salmon?
Can you eat raw salmon?
Raw salmon should be blast-frozen to kill parasites and prevent the growth of pathogens. Always check raw salmon before eating it to make sure it looks and smells fresh. Some people are at a higher risk of contracting a serious foodborne infection and should never eat raw salmon or other types of raw seafood. These people include (11):
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
Can you get sick from eating Trader Joes raw?
It’s not like any of the processing that goes into the Trader Joe’s version introduces additional parasites The OP stated that due to a lack of parasites there was “no risk of getting sick from eating it raw” – that is incorrect, period.
Is raw salmon bad for You?
The possible pathogens in raw salmon can pose a hefty risk if you are: Infections that most folks can shrug off with little more than an upset tummy can be fatal for people with a compromised or not-fully-developed immune system (as in the case of children and fetuses still enjoying that womb life).