Sushi: The Culprit of the Urban Tapeworm Problem?

Posted by Alex in Food & Drinks, Medicine on June 14, 2009 at 1:32 pm


Before you eat that oh-so-delicious piece of salmon sashimi, consider this: sushi (as well as undercooked fish) may be contributing to the growing problem of urban tapeworm …

Once the bane of rural Japanese villagers, a paper in the June issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases reports on the spread of the the salmon tapeworm Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense. The parasite, which can reach lengths of 39 feet (12 meters), has been steadily increasing its global distribution and prevalence – mostly among yuppies with a hankering for sashimi and ceviche.

One hospital in Japan reported 14 cases last year, up from 3 cases in 2000. And starting in 2006, the tapeworm has been popping up for the first time in North America and Europe. Meanwhile, farm-raised salmon from South America have been plagued by a closely related tapeworm that normally infects perch and other freshwater fish.

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11 comments to "Sushi: The Culprit of the Urban Tapeworm Problem?"

  1. Geekazoid
    June 14th, 2009 at 11:27 pm

    Yea I'm starting to not eat sushi/raw fish anymore. Seen too many gross videos. I'll stay with the crab substitutes for now.

  2. Johnny Cat
    June 15th, 2009 at 1:29 am

    @Geekazoid:

    Do you mean Krab? or "Neptune salad"? Because I'd rather deal with a tapeworm than ever eat that crap. Again.

  3. marieissah
    June 15th, 2009 at 7:20 am

    Oh my! I'm into sushi lately. Better stop now!

  4. Sue Dunham
    June 15th, 2009 at 7:49 am

    Sashimi was meant to showcase how fresh and clean your fish was.
    Fish caught in the middle of the Pacific, gutted, thrown into a hold, kept for weeks, moved between several transfer points, refrozen several times and finally served in Dubuque, Iowa does not meet those criteria.

  5. Geekazoid
    June 15th, 2009 at 8:01 am

    It's an acquired taste for some Johnny.

  6. LisaL
    June 15th, 2009 at 9:32 am

    Bleh..... I just don't see how anyone could eat sushi.
    I'll take kimbop where every meat used is cooked over sushi any day of the week :D ... mmmmmmm kimbop

  7. Aaron
    June 15th, 2009 at 11:01 am

    Kimbop....wasn't that a Hansen song ;)

  8. MercuryFreeforME!
    June 15th, 2009 at 11:09 am

    I knew as soon as sushi started popping up everywhere next to pre-packaged sandwiches that we'd be seeing problems with it.

    Fish is one of the most dangerous foods you can eat. Their environment is totally unregulated and polluted daily. I can't see how people even LIKE fish unless you're in some fancy New England restaurant right on the water where you know the fish is fresh... well fresher.

  9. starbreiz
    June 16th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    I guess it's a good thing I moved to California and became a fish snob. I never realized how good fish could be until I ate it fresh. If I ever move inland, I think I'd have to stop eating sashimi :(

  10. Amberae
    June 19th, 2009 at 5:58 am

    i think my fat ass could go for a tape worm... unhealthy diet pills of the victorian era.

  11. Sushi Freak
    June 24th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Freshwater fish are always a concern for parasites. In the US, sushi chefs freeze the salmon for one week to kill any parasites or eggs. If the fish you are eating raw is properly prepped, parasites are not a problem.

    Undercooked salmon is another issue altogether. Since it is not prepped to be eaten raw, undercooking is very dangerous. Those fish meant to be eaten raw (anything in a sushi bar) are prepped with parasites in mind. Even tuna, which is a deep water ocean fish, is often frozen before being served 'fresh' and raw.

    If you go to a good sushi restaurant, parasites will not be a problem. You are at a far greater risk eating undercooked beef and chicken at a western restaurant.


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