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| | | I come from a place where fishing is popular, and people commonly eat raw fish. Growing up there, it was the norm to eat raw tuna hours after it was caught. Few people, if any, questioned its safety. | | Eating raw fish is a common practice across the world that many of you likely partake in. So, how concerned should we be about the health risks, and is there any way to eat raw fish safely? Lindsay Mahar, a registered dietitian at Healthline, is here with answers. | | | | | | | Eat up,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
September 18, 2025 • 3.5 min read | | | |  | | | | Q: | Is eating raw fish ever safe, and how can I reduce my risk of illness when I do eat it? | | | A: | Eating raw fish isn't for me, personally! But many people and cultures around the world celebrate the unique texture and taste (not to mention nutritional value) of raw fish.
If you like eating raw fish, you can rest easy knowing that it's relatively safe to do so as long as you follow a few best practices listed below. However, failing to follow these guidelines can put you at risk of a number of health risks, including parasites and foodborne illness from bacterial infections. - Only eat fish that has been frozen for 7 days at -4°F (-20°C), or at -31°F (-35°C) for 15 hours until solid. This will kill any parasites living in the fish meat. Look for a label that indicates the fish has been frozen and thawed (which is required), or ask the supplier.
- At restaurants, even if the fish is labeled "sushi grade," ask about the fish's freshness and preparation. (Heads-up: "Sushi grade" is a marketing term that means the seller believes the fish is safe to eat raw, but this is not a guarantee.)
- Inspect the fish. Sometimes, you can see parasites with the naked eye. But even if you can't, look for signs of freshness, including clear eyes, firm flesh, and a mild smell. Do not eat any fish (raw or cooked) that smells sour or intensely fishy.
- Prepare and eat raw fish within 24 to 48 hours of purchase. Store fish at 40°F or below or freeze it until ready to use.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw fish, and thoroughly wash all utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces that come in contact with raw fish.
- Keep raw foods and fresh foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.
Unless the fish was properly frozen, always cook fish thoroughly. Searing the outside while leaving the inside undercooked carries risk because the internal temperature does not get hot enough to kill off the parasites.
Aside from personal preference for taste and texture, eating raw fish provides a few unique health benefits: - Retains certain nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids, which degrade at high temperatures.
- Avoids contaminants that are formed when cooking at high temperatures (like grilling or frying), which have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. (Note: these are formed when cooking any meat at a high temp, not just fish.)
| | | | | Lindsay Mahar, Registered Dietitian | | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | | 🫶 How to learn to forgive your body. "Learning to forgive my body for its treachery has made coexisting with chronic pain far easier." | | 💻 Where to find MS support online. We've rounded up some of the best and most active online groups for people with MS. | | 👁️ How to use a warm compress to treat eye issues. Heat and moisture may help alleviate pain, inflammation, and other issues. | | 🧑🌾 Home essentials for gardening your way to better mental health. Here's what the gardeners on our team use to nurture healthy plants and minds. | | | |   | | | Until next time, |  | Take care of yourself, and we'll see
you again soon! | | | | |  | | This edition was powered by | | albacore.️ | | | | |
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