Tuna is one of the most beloved fish across the globe, coveted for its versatility, rich flavor, and nutritional benefits. This apex predator of the sea can be enjoyed raw in sushi and sashimi, grilled to perfection, or canned for convenient meals and sandwiches. However, there’s one unappealing aspect of tuna that gives some people pause – the fact that it can contain parasitic worms.
If you enjoy your tuna on the rare side or love indulging in sushi and sashimi, you may have wondered – what do worms in tuna actually look like? Knowing how to identify worms in tuna can help you take precautions to enjoy this fish as safely as possible.
The Typical Appearance of Worms in Tuna
Parasitic worms in tuna can vary in size, but they are generally long, thin strands ranging in color from white, pink, red, to brown. The worms can sometimes be seen moving in raw tuna, especially in thinly sliced sashimi preparations.
In some cases, the worms are transparent or barely visible to the naked eye. But other times you can see their long vermiform shape quite clearly coiled throughout the flesh. Worms in tuna tend to be skinnier and longer than in other fish like cod or salmon.
Common Types of Worms Found in Tuna
The most prevalent parasitic worms that infect tuna are known as anisakids, belonging to the genera Anisakis and Pseudoterranova They can cause a disease called anisakiasis or anisakidosis if humans ingest them in raw or undercooked fish
Anisakis worms are also found in other saltwater fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and more. They attach to the marine animal’s intestines and digestive tract. Humans can contract anisakiasis by eating infected sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or undercooked fish.
Assessing the Safety of Tuna Before Consuming
If you want to eat tuna raw, it’s crucial to assess its safety by:
- Checking for any visible worms and removing them
- Sourcing sushi or sashimi grade tuna from a reputable supplier
- Freezing the tuna to the proper temperature and duration to kill parasites
- Cooking tuna thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to eliminate risks
Raw tuna from restaurants and markets should be safe to eat if properly handled. But it doesn’t hurt to give it a quick visual scan for any signs of worms before consuming.
How to Spot Worms When Preparing Tuna
When preparing tuna for cooking or raw consumption, here are some tips for spotting worms:
- Slice the tuna into thin pieces and hold up to the light – this can reveal hidden worms
- Look for any thin, strand-like shapes in the flesh – these could be worms
- Check the belly flap area carefully as worms often congregate here
- Focus on areas with bloodline or dark meat, where worms like to lodge
- Look for small black or brown spots, which could be worm ends or larvae
Thoroughly wash hands, prep tools, surfaces after handling, and discard any infected portions. Then cook thoroughly or freeze properly to kill any remaining parasites.
Is Eating Tuna With Worms Dangerous?
Consuming worms from raw or undercooked tuna can definitely make you sick. The parasitic larvae can survive being eaten and once inside the human digestive tract, latch on and develop into fully grown roundworms.
This can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal blockages, and other nasty symptoms. In rare cases, complications can be severe if the worms migrate internally to sensitive organs.
To avoid risks, pregnant women, infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid raw or undercooked tuna. Make sure to cook tuna to the recommended safe internal temperature and take preventative measures to eliminate risks of parasitic infection.
How to Enjoy Tuna Safely
Tuna is a super nutritious and delicious fish that’s enjoyed globally in many cuisines. While the presence of worms can be unsettling, you can take steps to enjoy tuna safely:
- Visually inspect tuna flesh for any signs of worms before consuming
- Ensure any raw tuna you eat is deep-frozen prior to kill parasites
- Only source sashimi or sushi grade tuna from reputable suppliers
- Cook tuna to an internal temperature of 145°F if concerned about worms
- Practice good hygiene when handling and preparing raw tuna
By being aware of what worms look like in tuna and taking proper precautions, you can relish this incredible fish confidently with peace of mind. A few simple measures can help protect your health and allow you to keep enjoying tasty tuna for years to come.
What do worms in tuna look like?
FAQ
What is the white stringy stuff in my tuna?
How to make sure tuna has no parasites?
What are the symptoms of a tuna parasite?
What is the worm in tin tuna?
Are there white worms in tuna?
While I was dividing the tuna pieces for freezing, I was disgusted to see white worms in the flesh. Yuck!!! Apparently, they were in the belly part, embedded in the flesh. I was surprised to find a misleading advice on Livestrong that tuna is an exception to fish carrying parasites. I found at least 10-15 worms in 1 kg tuna.
What does ringworm look like?
Ringworm mostly looks like damage to overproliferated tissue with desquamation, erosion and ulcer etc. People think that immunity factors play an important role during the process of disease occurrence and progress in the clinical setting.
What do fish worms look like?
In some fish, like cod, they may be more prominent and darker—like stray pieces of seaweed. For employees at fish counters or fish processing plants, they’re a common sight. “If you’re filleting a dozen fish in any given day, you’re going to probably see worms in twenty per cent of them—if not more,” said Best.
How many worms in 1 kg tuna?
I found at least 10-15 worms in 1 kg tuna. I wish I had clicked a picture to upload. If you read the livestrong link I added – it says specifically to get sushi grade tuna. It does not say that they will be free of parasites, just less likely, if you get sushi tuna.