EFSA: Many farmed fish species free of parasites

On April 18th, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific report on parasites in farmed fish within EU and EFTA countries. The report indicates that many popular fish species, such as Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, are free from zoonotic parasites that could infect humans. These findings emphasize the overall safety of these fish species for consumers.

Variations in parasite presence noted

Although many fish species have been found to be parasite-free, parasites have been detected in certain species. Particularly, species farmed in open sea cages or flow-through ponds, such as European seabass and Atlantic bluefin tuna, have shown the presence of parasites like Anisakis. These findings highlight the need for more data to estimate the prevalence of specific parasites.

Assessment of new detection and elimination methods

EFSA has also examined new technologies that assist in detecting and eliminating zoonotic parasites. Techniques such as UV scanning and molecular methods have been evaluated, along with more traditional methods like freezing and heating, which are proven to be effective. Research is also being conducted on the effectiveness of other processing methods such as high-pressure processing and pulsed electric field techniques.

The outcomes of this research are critical for ensuring the safety and quality of fish products within the EU and contribute to the development of better preventive measures against parasites in aquaculture systems.

View the full report

Efsa.europa.eu