Can you eat salmon raw?

What to avoid

• Level E FDA: Raw or undercooked fish or shellfish, or food containing raw or undercooked seafood (for example, sashimi) found in some sushi or ceviche. (FDA list of foods for at-risk groups to avoid: pregnant women, children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems) FDA, Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely, accessed 2026-10-12

Safer choices and when it is OK

• Level E FDA: However, if you choose to eat raw fish anyway, one rule of thumb is to eat fish that has been previously frozen. FDA, Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely, accessed 2026-10-12

How to cook or handle it

• Level E FDA: Most seafood should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. FDA, Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely, accessed 2026-10-12
• Level E USDA FSIS: Fish & Shellfish 145 degrees F (62.8 degrees C) (Safe Minimum Internal Temperature chart row (cells joined by a space)) USDA FSIS, Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart, accessed 2026-10-12
• Level E FoodSafety.gov: Fish (whole or filet), such as salmon, tuna, tilapia, pollock, bass, cod, catfish, trout, etc. 145°F (63°C) or cook until flesh is no longer translucent and separates easily with a fork (Safe Minimum Internal Temperature chart row (cells joined by a space)) FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures, accessed 2026-10-12

Why the advice exists

• Level E FDA: However, be aware that freezing doesn't kill all harmful germs. That's why the safest route is to cook your seafood. FDA, Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely, accessed 2026-10-12

Word-for-word quotes from official US sources. Level E means the position of an expert body. How we grade evidence.

• Level C Across 83 studies, Anisakis larvae were found in 33% of cod but 5% of Atlantic salmon, and farmed fish were least infected at 2%. Int J Food Microbiol, 2020
• Level E The FDA Listeria guidance for pregnant women says refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, is most often labeled nova-style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky. US FDA, Listeria: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be
• Level E FDA guidance says parasites in fish meant to be eaten raw are killed by freezing at -20°C (-4°F) or below for 7 days, or at -35°C (-31°F) until solid and then 15 hours, and that heating fish enough to kill bacteria also kills parasites. FDA, Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance, Chapter 5: Parasites

Levels: A is a meta-analysis of trials, B a randomized trial, C an observational study, D lab or animal work, E an expert position. How we grade evidence.

The worry with raw salmon is parasites as well as bacteria. Across 83 studies of commercial fish sold in Belgium, Anisakis larvae turned up in 5% of Atlantic salmon, against 33% of cod, and farmed fish were the least infected at 2%, though still not free of them (Level C).

FDA guidance to the seafood industry for fish meant to be eaten raw is to freeze it at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 7 days, or at -31°F (-35°C) until solid and then for 15 hours (Level E). That handles parasites. The guidance is written for the seafood industry and does not cover home freezers. FDA also warns that freezing does not kill all harmful germs, which is why cooking to 145°F stays the safest route.

If you are pregnant, an older adult, have a weakened immune system or are feeding a child, skip raw salmon. Refrigerated smoked salmon, often labeled nova-style or lox, falls under the same pregnancy advice (Level E).

Evidence behind this note

1. Level C Across 83 studies, Anisakis larvae were found in 33% of cod but 5% of Atlantic salmon, and farmed fish were least infected at 2%. Int J Food Microbiol, 2020
2. Level E FDA guidance says parasites in fish meant to be eaten raw are killed by freezing at -20°C (-4°F) or below for 7 days, or at -35°C (-31°F) until solid and then 15 hours, and that heating fish enough to kill bacteria also kills parasites. FDA, Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance, Chapter 5: Parasites
3. Level E The FDA Listeria guidance for pregnant women says refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, is most often labeled nova-style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky. US FDA, Listeria: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be

Written from the agency positions and data on this page, reviewed by the Bioma editorial system. How we verify.

• Salmon: what the research says
• How much salmon per week is safe?
• Can you eat salmon while pregnant?