December 23, 2024

Rolling the Dice: The Hidden Health Risks Lurking in Your Sushi

Preventative methods include systematically keeping an eye on and taking samples in production environments, finding good tracking indicators, carrying out steps when multidrug-resistant bacteria are spotted in groups of animals, vaccination, as well as education and awareness-raising operate in food production worldwide.
Strict policy by the authorities is most likely the most crucial methods of dealing with the problem of antibiotic-resistant germs. Individuals can make a distinction by picking raw produce from nations that just use small amounts of prescription antibiotics in aquaculture, such as Norway.
Norway is amongst the finest worldwide when it concerns limiting usage of prescription antibiotics both in the aquaculture market and in animals farming. Nevertheless, growth-promoting or preventive use of prescription antibiotics is common in other parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia.
Reference: “Whole genome sequence analysis of Aeromonas spp. separated from ready-to-eat seafood: antimicrobial resistance and virulence elements” by Hye-Jeong Lee, Julia E. Storesund, Bjørn-Tore Lunestad, Sunniva Hoel, Jørgen Lerfall and Anita Nordeng Jakobsen, 30 June 2023, Frontiers in Microbiology.DOI: 10.3389/ fmicb.2023.1175304.

Eating raw or mildly processed seafood items when they are as fresh as possible.
Keeping great personal health and cooking area hygiene when preparing food.
Maintaining sufficient refrigeration at all links of the supply chain to inhibit bacterial growth.

” Bacteria in sushi, sashimi, and cold-smoked fish items can present a danger to individuals who eat such foods frequently, specifically individuals with weak body immune systems, children, and the elderly,” says Hyejeong Lee.
She recently finished her PhD at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). In her thesis, she investigated different ranges of Aeromonas bacteria in seafood products that do not go through substantial processing. Without heat treatment or making use of other antibacterial approaches, the threat of germs levels becoming high boosts sharply.
” The goal was to acquire more knowledge about Aeromonas in this kind of seafood– both the germss function in the degeneration of the item and in causing illness. We desired to see if raw seafood can spread antibiotic-resistant germs,” states Dr. Lee.
Listeria monocytogenes is probably the best-known pathogenic germs related to raw or slightly processed seafood. The occurrence of Aeromonas in these kinds of items has actually worried researchers for some time.
Norwegian research highlights prospective health dangers of Aeromonas bacteria in underprocessed seafood, consisting of the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Moderate processing does not prevent bacterial development
Lees point of departure was fish products that are readily available on the Norwegian market. She examined these items for Aeromonas bacteria.
” The outcomes reveal that the moderate processing these fish products get does not guarantee that the growth of Aeromonas germs will be hindered,” says Lee.
To put it simply, the processing of sushi, sashimi, and cold-smoked fish is inadequate in preventing bacterial development. However thats not all.
” The bulk of these Aeromonas variations are possibly pathogenic and there are frequently a number of different threat elements related to them,” says Lee.
Lee emphasizes that the danger of getting ill from Aeromonas is admittedly really little, specifically for healthy people.
” Aeromonas is frequently ignored when we discuss food security. I believe my research highlights that the food market needs to pay more attention to these germs,” states Lee.
To ensure safety when consuming raw or slightly processed seafood, its vital to consume these items when theyre at their best. Preserving stringent personal and kitchen hygiene during food preparation is important.
Can spread antibiotic resistance
It is, of course, not really great for the individuals who become ill, but taking a look at the huge photo, another factor is much more essential.
Aeromonas germs in the sea frequently exchange genetic material with other bacteria. This is especially unfortunate if this genetic material comes from germs that are resistant to antibiotics.
” Some pressures of Aeromonas can likewise spread antibiotic resistance from one kind of bacteria to another. Consuming seafood contaminated by resistant bacteria is a likely way these bacteria can spread from marine animals and environments to human beings,” Lee concludes.
Resistant germs are a growing problem all over the world. Resistant bacteria do not trigger more disease than other germs, however they are much more hard to treat, since not all types of prescription antibiotics work versus them. In a worst-case scenario, no prescription antibiotics work at all.
In current research performed by Hyejeong Lee at NTNU, it was found that seafood items like sushi and sashimi, which arent extensively processed, can carry high levels of Aeromonas bacteria. This particular germs is worrying not just for the potential deterioration of the seafood product however also for its role in triggering diseases and potentially spreading antibiotic-resistant strains to consumers.
How to fight expansion
” To fight the spread of antibiotic-resistant germs, it is necessary that we adopt a broad approach that looks at animal and human health, food production and the environment together in order to accomplish much better public health,” states Anita Nordeng Jakobsen, associate professor at NTNUs Department of Biotechnology and Food Science.
The associate teacher mentions that microorganisms are moved between animals and humans via food and the environment, so reduced usage of prescription antibiotics alone is inadequate to avoid bacterial expansion.
Safety With Raw Seafood

Sushi and other raw seafood meals have grown in appeal worldwide. While generally safe, there are prospective health threats related to bacteria, especially Aeromonas, discovered in underprocessed seafood.
Germs in raw seafood can make you sick. Seafood can also spread bacteria that are resistant to prescription antibiotics.
Sushi has actually become everyday fare in numerous locations around the world, including Norway. Many individuals choose sashimi and other raw fish when they desire to treat themselves to something yummy.
It is necessary to emphasize here that, as a basic rule, it is considered entirely safe to consume this kind of food in Norway. Despite the reality that sushi can be delicious, it also brings a health risk, both for people and for society at large.

In her thesis, she examined various ranges of Aeromonas germs in seafood products that do not undergo extensive processing. Without heat treatment or the usage of other antibacterial approaches, the risk of bacteria levels becoming high boosts sharply.
Resistant bacteria are a growing issue around the world. Resistant bacteria do not cause more illness than other germs, but they are far more difficult to treat, because not all types of prescription antibiotics work against them. In a worst-case scenario, no antibiotics work at all.