Salmon is one of the most popular fish consumed around the world. When prepared properly, it can be incredibly delicious and nutritious. However, eating undercooked salmon comes with some serious health risks that you need to be aware of. In this article, we’ll explore what can happen if you eat undercooked salmon and provide tips on how to cook salmon safely.
Overview of Undercooked Salmon Risks
Eating undercooked salmon significantly increases your risk of contracting foodborne illnesses This is because harmful bacteria are more likely to survive and multiply in undercooked salmon. The most common foodborne illnesses linked to undercooked salmon include
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Salmonella – Causes diarrhea vomiting fever, and abdominal cramps.
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Vibrio Vulnificus – Causes gastrointestinal illness, wound infections, and sepsis.
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Listeria Monocytogenes – Causes fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
Undercooked salmon may also contain parasites like tapeworms and codworms. Consuming undercooked salmon can lead to parasitic infections that cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Pregnant women, older adults, young children, and those with weakened immune systems are at an even greater risk for contracting foodborne illnesses from undercooked salmon.
Common Symptoms from Eating Undercooked Salmon
If you eat undercooked salmon contaminated with bacteria or parasites, you may start experiencing symptoms anywhere from 30 minutes to 48 hours later.
The most common symptoms include:
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Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea – Usually the first symptoms to appear. The diarrhea can become extremely watery and lead to dehydration.
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Abdominal cramps and pain – Often severe.
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Fever – Ranging from mild to high (over 101 ̊F).
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Chills and body aches.
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Weakness and fatigue – Due to dehydration and your body fighting infection.
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Headaches.
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Bloody stool – An indication of invasive bacterial illness.
Symptoms may last for several days. Seek medical treatment if symptoms are severe or bloody stool is present.
Vulnerable Groups at High Risk
Certain groups have a higher risk of developing severe, even life-threatening complications from foodborne illnesses. These vulnerable groups include:
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Pregnant women – Harmful bacteria can be passed to the fetus.
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Young children under 5 years old – Their immune systems aren’t fully developed.
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Older adults over 65 years old – They have a greater chance of developing complications due to weaker immune systems.
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Those with autoimmune disorders – Such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease.
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People getting chemotherapy or radiation – Treatments weaken the immune system.
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Those with HIV/AIDS and transplant recipients – Their immune systems are compromised.
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Patients on steroids long-term – Steroids suppress the immune system.
If you or a loved one fall into a high-risk group, never eat undercooked salmon. Only eat salmon that is cooked to an internal temperature of 145 ̊F.
How to Tell If Your Salmon Is Undercooked
It’s important to know how to identify undercooked salmon in order to avoid potential foodborne illnesses. Here are 5 ways to tell if your salmon is undercooked:
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Translucent appearance – Properly cooked salmon will be opaque throughout. Undercooked salmon will still have a translucent, raw appearance.
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Mushy texture – Undercooked salmon flesh will have a mushy, gelatinous texture rather than being firm and flaky.
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Darker red color – Cooked salmon should take on a bright pink/orange hue. Undercooked salmon will look more reddish.
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Lack of flaking – When cooked through, salmon flesh should flake apart easily with a fork. Undercooked salmon will be hard to flake.
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Raw, fishy smell – Fully cooked salmon has a mild scent while undercooked salmon smells noticeably fishy.
Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to check doneness. Salmon should reach an internal temperature of 145 ̊F.
How to Cook Salmon Safely
Follow these tips to safely cook your salmon and avoid any risks from undercooked fish:
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Thaw properly – Defrost frozen salmon in the fridge, not at room temp. This prevents bacterial growth.
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Marinate carefully – Only marinate for 30 mins or less. Acidic marinades can start “cooking” the salmon, masking undercooking.
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Monitor time and temperature – Use a food thermometer to verify at least 145 ̊F. Oven-baking takes 10-15 minutes at 400 ̊F.
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Check for doneness – Look for opaque, flaky flesh and use a thermometer to double-check the internal temp.
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Wash hands, utensils, surfaces – Prevent cross-contamination with raw salmon germs.
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Store leftovers promptly – Refrigerate cooked salmon within 2 hours. Toss if left out beyond 4 hours.
Thoroughly cooking your salmon to a safe internal temperature will protect you against the harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning. Take care especially when cooking for high-risk groups like pregnant women and young children. If in doubt, remember it’s always better to err on the safe side!
How to Tell When Salmon Is Undercooked
The best way to tell if salmon is undercooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. An accurate reading with a thermometer can help you ensure that your salmon is cooked to a safe temperature. Always be sure to place your thermometer through the middle of the salmon to get an accurate temperature.
What Happens If You Eat Undercooked Salmon?
There is a risk of getting sick if you happen to eat undercooked salmon. Foodborne illnesses that can be found in undercooked seafood can lead to fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and in more extreme cases, blood infections. These symptoms — what we know more commonly as “food poisoning” — can make an appearance as soon as six hours after eating salmon that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Is it OK if salmon is undercooked?
FAQ
FAQ
Is slightly undercooked salmon ok to eat?
It is never completely safe to eat undercooked salmon. That’s because foodborne illnesses are much more likely to be passed on through salmon that has not been cooked thoroughly to a recommended internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Is it okay if my salmon is a little pink?
Yes, it’s generally okay for salmon to be slightly pink in the center when cooked, especially if it’s been properly prepared and handled.
What do I do if I ate raw salmon?
In severe cases, foodborne illnesses caused by eating undercooked salmon can lead to complications, such as sepsis, which can be life-threatening. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of a foodborne illness after eating undercooked salmon.
How likely is it to get sick from undercooked fish?
Bacteria are more tricky, bacterial food poisoning from raw fresh fish is not very common. If you’re worried it would usually set in ranging within hours to a day. Occasionally it can set in much later, but this is uncommon and I wouldn’t worry about it.
What happens if you eat undercooked salmon?
As I already said, undercooked salmon may contain various harmful bacteria. If you consume it, you put yourself at risk of contracting foodborne illnesses, which can lead to different symptoms. The most common bacteria associated with undercooked salmon is Salmonella. Consuming this bacteria will most certainly lead to foodborne illnesses.
What happens if you eat undercooked fish?
Once you eat undercooked fish, the symptoms will take effect just minutes after consumption, or it could take an hour or two. The illness could last until you get all of the affected fish out of your system, perhaps a day or so, or it could last for a few days.
Can you eat raw salmon?
Well, you can’t eat all kinds of raw salmon, but only sushi-grade or raw salmon, meaning it has been frozen at -4°F for at least 7 days, making sure that all bacteria are killed in the process. On the other hand, undercooked salmon has a temperature of around 40°F or higher, which is an ideal temperature for harmful bacteria growth.
Can undercooked salmon cause food poisoning?
In addition to parasites, undercooked salmon can also contain bacteria like Salmonella and Vibrio vulnificus. These bacteria can cause food poisoning, which can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, food poisoning can be life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
What happens if you eat raw salmon?
Additionally, salmon can also be a host to parasites, such as tapeworms. Eating undercooked or raw salmon increases the risk of ingesting these parasites, which can lead to parasitic infections. Symptoms of a parasitic infection may vary but can include abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea, and weight loss.
What happens if salmon is not cooked properly?
Aside from that, salmon that hasn’t been cooked properly can also contain certain bacteria, including salmonella, Vibrio vulnificus, and warm saltwater bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus is particularly dangerous because it can lead to serious health problems, including gastrointestinal disease, wound infection, and even sepsis.