Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood dishes worldwide. The succulent, sweet flavor makes it a coveted ingredient. However, there are risks associated with spoiled shrimp tainted by ammonia. Consuming shrimp with an ammonia odor can cause severe food poisoning. This article will cover what happens when you eat bad shrimp, how to identify tainted shrimp, and tips to prevent ammonia contamination.
Overview of Shrimp and Ammonia
Shrimp naturally contains ammonia in its tissue. During decomposition, ammonia levels increase as the shrimp’s body breaks down amino acids Fresh shrimp has a mild ocean smell An ammonia or chemical odor indicates spoilage. The shrimp flesh may also appear slimy or discolored.
Ammonia is toxic to humans. Restaurants and home cooks must handle, store and cook shrimp properly to inhibit bacterial growth. If old, raw shrimp is cooked the ammonia becomes concentrated and can cause chemical poisoning when eaten.
Food Poisoning and Gastrointestinal Effects
Eating rancid, ammonia-laced shrimp can cause immediate, painful symptoms The most common effects are
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Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea – Usually starts 1-2 hours after ingesting bad shrimp. Lasts 1-3 days.
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Abdominal cramps – Severe stomach pain similar to food poisoning.
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Headaches, dizziness, fever – Toxins affect nervous system and metabolism.
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Respiratory irritation – Ammonia vapors inflame nasal/lung tissues if cooked indoors.
In severe cases, ammonia poisoning from shrimp can cause:
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Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
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Low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms
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Muscle tremors, numbness, seizures
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Permanent lung damage if vapors inhaled
Shrimp containing ammonia may also harbor bacteria like Salmonella, Vibrio, E. Coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria. These can trigger vomiting and diarrhea lasting over a week if a large amount is ingested.
Those with compromised immune systems – very young, elderly, pregnant, HIV positive – are most at risk of severe complications from contaminated shrimp. Seek medical help immediately if symptoms persist beyond 48 hours.
How Ammonia Affects Frozen Shrimp
Freezing shrimp right after catching helps lock in freshness. However, ammonia odors can still develop over time in the freezer. Signs of spoiled, frozen shrimp include:
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Dull, faded color instead of translucent pink
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Grayish or yellow discoloration
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Dry, mushy texture once thawed
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Strong chemical smell when cooked
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“Off” taste that is bitter, sour, or pungent
If the frozen shrimp package has ice crystals or appears discolored or frosty, it could be freezer burn. The shrimp may have gone bad months ago but only smells once thawed and cooked. Discard any suspicious looking frozen shrimp.
Identifying Bad Raw Shrimp
Check raw, unfrozen shrimp for these signs of spoilage:
- Ammonia or sour odor – should have a mild, briny scent
-Slimy texture instead of firm and shiny
-Unnaturally dark pink or yellow/grey color
-Milky, cloudy appearance in shellfish meat
-Blackened spots or streaks on shell or tail
-Soft, mushy feel when raw
Do not attempt to wash, cook, or de-shell shrimp with these qualities. The ammonia permeates the entire flesh. Cooking cannot eliminate the toxins already present from decomposition.
How to Avoid Ammonia Contamination
You can take steps to prevent shrimp from developing dangerous ammonia levels:
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Purchase shrimp alive on ice or freshly frozen
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Check sell-by dates and freezing dates
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Inspect package for ice crystals, discoloration
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Store in coldest part of refrigerator if using soon
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Cook within 1-2 days of thawing frozen shrimp
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Refrigerate cooked shrimp within 2 hours
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Monitor for ammonia smell when reheating leftovers
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Discard shrimp after 3-4 days in fridge
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Freeze raw shrimp in airtight packaging with all air pressed out
Following safe handling and cooking guidelines reduces the chances of foodborne illnesses from contaminated shrimp.
What to Do if You Suspect You Ate Bad Shrimp
If you experience nausea, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms within hours of eating shrimp, seek medical help. Alert your doctor that you likely consumed tainted seafood.
Save any leftover shrimp and packaging so the source can be identified. Report the incident to the restaurant or grocery store to prevent others from getting sick. Prompt treatment for dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea improves recovery time.
In the future, inspect shrimp packaging dates and carefully check odor and appearance before cooking. It’s better to be safe and discard questionable shrimp rather than risk severe food poisoning.
Shrimp laced with ammonia is extremely hazardous if consumed. The chemical byproducts of decomposition can inflame the lungs, nervous system, and digestive tract. Freezing cannot kill the toxins once present. Cooks must learn to identify bad shrimp by sight, smell and texture.
Discard any shrimp with an unnatural color, slimy feel, or pungent ammonia odor. Report incidents of food poisoning to the proper authorities. With vigilance and proper handling, it is possible to avoid ammonia contamination and enjoy shrimp dishes safely. Stay informed and take precaution when cooking with this popular shellfish.
What happens if you eat shrimp that smells like ammonia?
Why does fresh shrimp smell like ammonia?
Fresh shrimp should not have a fishy odor or the scent of ammonia. If the shrimp emits a strong fishysmell or smells like ammonia, it is likely spoiled and should not be consumed. The foul smell is caused by bacteria growth and can be an indication of food poisoning. When you’re checking for the smell of bad shrimp, trust your senses.
What are the side effects of eating shrimp?
Shrimp allergy can be identified from signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling it, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.
What does bad cooked shrimp smell like?
Bad cooked shrimp will have a strong sour smell and is the easiest to tell whether it is no good. Bad shrimp will taste like chlorine or like ammonia, similar to how it smells after it has spoiled. It will have a softer, slimy texture which differs from the way it should feel when it is safe to eat, which is wet and firm.
Why does shrimp smell like iodine?
Cooking shrimp will bring out the odor more clearly than if it was frozen but make no mistake: iodine is different from ammonia Rather, ammonia occurs as an odor that results from the natural decomposition of waste inside the body of the animal.