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Is Walmart Salmon Safe to Eat Raw? A Detailed Look at Sourcing Handling and RisksEating raw salmon has become increasingly popular, with dishes like sushi poke bowls and crudo growing in prominence. The fresh, delicate flavor of raw salmon is undeniably appetizing. But is it actually safe to eat raw salmon from Walmart?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into all the factors that determine the safety of consuming Walmart’s salmon raw. We’ll look at how Walmart sources their salmon, how it’s processed and handled, potential risks, and best practices for safe raw consumption.

The Popularity of Raw Salmon DishesRaw fish consumption has exploded in recent years especially among health-conscious consumers. The rise of Japanese cuisine like sushi and sashimi helped drive this trend. More recently Hawaiian poke bowls have taken the mainland by storm as a fresher, lighter alternative to typical takeout fare.

At the center of many raw preparations is salmon, prized for its velvety texture, rich omega-3 content, and versatility. In fact, salmon now ranks among the most popular fish in the United States. It’s also one of the safer options when eating raw, with a lower risk of parasites compared to some other fish.

How Walmart Sources Their Fresh Salmon
To understand how safely you can eat Walmart’s salmon raw, we need to start at the source. Walmart does not harvest their own salmon. Instead, they source salmon from major providers across the globe:

  • Wild-Caught Salmon – Species like sockeye and coho are fished from Alaskan, Washington and Oregon waters.

  • Farmed Salmon – Atlantic salmon from Chile and Norway makes up a large portion of farmed salmon.

Wild Pacific salmon generally carries lower risks than farmed Atlantic salmon. But with proper handling, both can be safe.

Salmon Processing and Handling
Once sourced, processing and handling are where contamination risks emerge. Here are key steps:

  • Bleeding – Blood is drained after catch to inhibit bacteria growth.

  • Filleting – Salmon is filleted by hand or machine with proper sanitation.

  • Freezing – Salmon is typically flash frozen soon after catch to kill parasites. Walmart states their salmon is frozen to -31°F.

  • Packaging – Vacuum sealing prevents exposure during handling and shipping.

  • Shipping – Frozen salmon is transported in refrigerated trucks to stores.

When these protocols are followed, the risk of contamination becomes quite low.

In-Store Handling at Walmart
Once salmon reaches Walmart, store handling determines if contamination occurs:

  • Frozen Transport – Salmon remains frozen as it ships in refrigerated cases.

  • Thawing – Employees are trained in proper thawing before displaying salmon on ice.

  • Display – Salmon sits on fresh ice, not touching melted water where bacteria can grow.

  • Turnover – High turnover prevents salmon sitting out too long. Unsold salmon is discarded daily.

  • Sanitation – Food contact surfaces are frequently cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.

Again, proper protocols here help mitigate risks of unsafe salmon. But mishandling by staff could increase risks.

Potential Risks of Eating Walmart’s Salmon Raw
Raw salmon does come with inherent risks to be aware of:

  • Bacteria – Salmonella, Vibrio and other bacteria can cause foodborne illness if not handled properly.

  • Parasites – Anisakis and other parasites may be present and can cause nasty infections when ingested.

  • Viruses – Improper handling could lead to transmission of dangerous viruses.

  • Toxins – Salmon can contain mercury, though levels are generally low.

  • Allergies – People with salmon allergies may react, especially to salmon roe.

  • Cross-Contamination – Bacteria from salmon can be spread to other foods if care isn’t taken.

So there are definitely hazards associated with raw salmon consumption. But risks can be minimized with proper handling.

Best Practices for Safely Eating Walmart’s Salmon Raw
To maximize the safety of Walmart salmon eaten raw, here are some tips:

  • Inspect the salmon carefully and discard any discolored or smelly portions.

  • Use very clean cutting boards, knives, plates and utensils when prepping.

  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling the raw salmon.

  • Refrigerate promptly after preparing and consume within 1-2 days.

  • Avoid raw salmon if you are in an at-risk group like pregnant women or the elderly.

  • Cook salmon to 145°F to kill any potential bacteria and parasites, if you have concerns about raw consumption.

By following basic food safety protocols, healthy individuals should be able to safely eat Walmart salmon raw in most circumstances. But it’s smart to take precautions if you have higher risk factors.

The Verdict on Eating Walmart Salmon Raw
Based on Walmart’s salmon sourcing, processing, freezing protocols and in-store handling, their salmon appears to meet FDA standards for safety and quality. While risks can never be fully eliminated with raw fish, Walmart salmon seems no less safe to eat raw than any grocery store salmon, assuming proper storage and preparation once purchased.

For maximum safety, at-risk groups like pregnant women may want to avoid raw salmon. But most healthy adults and children should be able to safely enjoy Walmart’s fresh raw salmon in their favorite poke bowls, sushi rolls and other dishes by following basic food safety best practices. While not sushi-grade, Walmart’s salmon can be a shortcut to delicious raw salmon dishes with minimal risk when handled responsibly.

What has been your experience with preparing and eating Walmart’s salmon raw? Have you felt comfortable with the safety, or do you have lingering concerns? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

is walmart salmon safe to eat raw

Dangers of eating unsafe raw salmon

Bacterial food poisoning

When you eat raw salmon, you’re susceptible to bacterial food poisoning like listeriosis. The Listeria monocytogenes bacteria isn’t a common cause of infection, but if you have a weakened immune system or you’re pregnant, it can make you very ill.

It’s most often found in salmon products that have been handled incorrectly or “cold-smoked” at too high of a temperature. If you are part of a high-risk population for foodborne illnesses, stay on the safe side and don’t eat raw salmon. If you’re not, still be very careful to only eat high-quality raw fish from a reputable source.

Anisakiasis

Raw salmon can contain several different types of parasites, including anisakiasis. Anisakiasis is also called “herring worm disease,” and it’s spread when people eat raw fish or squid that have been infected with the larvae of this parasite. The eggs or larval form of the parasites can then live for a while before dying in the person’s gastrointestinal system.

This disease can cause vomiting, fever, bloating, and even a severe allergic reaction. If the parasite is left in the person’s GI system for too long, it might need to be surgically extracted.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can be an unfortunate consequence of eating raw salmon that wasn’t flash-frozen. It can also occur when you eat a fresh, wild-caught raw salmon that acquired a tapeworm in its native waters. Theres no way to tell if a wild-caught fish is tapeworm-free: Depending on where your salmon was caught, it could be completely parasite-free, or it could have lived its entire life in tapeworm-infested waters.

Which types of salmon can and cannot be eaten raw?

is walmart salmon safe to eat raw

Your favorite sushi restaurant is likely expensive, and it may be a long drive to the international grocery store that sells sushi-grade raw fish.

Can you eat your own raw salmon — the type you find in your local store — if it’s fresh or frozen? Learn more about when it’s safe to eat raw fish, which types you should buy, and which types you should avoid.

Most people understand that eating raw and undercooked meat can be extremely dangerous to their health. Raw meats can contain bacteria and parasites that cause food poisoning.

Fish meat can be different. Sometimes, its safe to eat raw fish, but in other situations, you should avoid it. Whether you’re looking for raw salmon for a sushi recipe or you simply like it plain, consider the following information to keep yourself healthy when eating raw fish.

Wild-caught salmon

Salmon labeled “wild-caught” is often considered healthier for various reasons. These fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, theyre free to grow in a healthy environment, and they can eat a variety of wild plankton, fish, and algae.

Living in the wild comes with a cost, though: parasites. Wild-caught salmon have a higher incidence of infection because they’re at greater risk of eating infected food in the wild (as opposed to a farmed salmon’s man-made, parasite-free diet). Its not a good idea to eat raw, wild-caught salmon unless you know its been flash-frozen first.

Farm-raised salmon

Farm-raised salmon, especially fish that have been flash frozen, are your best bet for eating raw sushi that you bought at the grocery store. Though fish farms often have a bad reputation in health-food circles, fish raised in captivity aren’t as susceptible to parasitic diseases for three reasons:

  • They aren’t seeking their own prey in the wild, which means they probably won’t eat food that’s been infected.
  • They are raised in conditions that are designed to keep them healthy and disease-free.
  • They are almost always frozen before theyre shipped to stores and restaurants.

Smoked salmon

This salty delicacy is used in dishes as wide-ranging as gourmet appetizer plates and grocery store sushi. You can put it in pasta dishes or scramble it with eggs. If you eat it at a party, you probably have not questioned its origin — but if you’ve just brought it home from the store, you might wonder if it’s cooked enough to safely eat.

Smoked salmon isn’t technically raw — but it hasn’t been traditionally cooked, either. Even so, you can safely enjoy smoked salmon if it’s cured with smoke and salt in a traditional smokehouse or a larger food preparation plant.

Homemade smoked salmon might still be raw if the cook doesn’t understand how to smoke meat correctly — and if this is the case, it’s probably not safe to eat.

What Types Of Fresh and Frozen Salmon Can You Eat Raw? Walmart? Whole Foods?

FAQ

FAQ

Is there sushi grade salmon at Walmart?

Best Sushi Grade Salmon, Fresh Raw Fillets, Skin-On from Iceland (2 Servings per Pack) – Walmart.com.

What store-bought salmon can you eat raw?

For salmon, farmed salmon (rather than wild caught or freshwater) is actually safer for raw consumption, as the incidence of parasites is much lower in farmed fish due to a more controlled environment. Additionally, you should find out if the fish had been previously frozen.

Is it safe to eat supermarket salmon raw?

Yes, salmon is a food that you can eat raw. However, it’s not safe for everyone, and there are some risks to consider first. Raw salmon may contain bacteria, parasites and other types of pathogens or germs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed salmon as a known source of parasites.

How do I know if my salmon is safe to eat raw?

Poke test – lightly poke the salmon. If it springs right back, it is likely still raw. If the imprint remains or slightly flakes, it’s looking good.

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