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Nearly All Tuna Had Worms, Study Finds
10 Sep
Summary
- 96% of sushi-grade tuna samples contained parasites.
- Parasites were found in edible fish parts.
- Thorough cooking is advised to kill parasites.

A significant study conducted by Brazilian scientists has revealed that nearly all examined sushi-grade tuna samples were infested with parasitic worms. Researchers analyzed 53 samples of skipjack tuna and discovered that an alarming 96% contained parasites.
The parasites were not confined to one area, being found in the intestine, muscle tissue, and stomach, with over 1,400 parasites detected in the stomach of a single fish. This widespread presence, even in commonly consumed portions, has raised concerns about potential health risks associated with raw fish consumption.
These findings underscore the critical need for thorough sanitary inspections and immediate evisceration of fish to prevent parasite larvae from migrating into edible parts. While many parasitic infections are treatable, health officials strongly recommend cooking fish thoroughly to mitigate the risk of ingesting harmful parasites.