Can you eat spoiled fish?
Quick Answer
No
Eating spoiled fish can lead to serious foodborne illnesses. It’s crucial to properly store and cook fish to avoid spoilage.
What Is It?
Spoiled fish is fish that has gone bad due to improper storage or handling, and is no longer safe to eat. It often has a pungent smell, slimy texture, and off color.
How to Tell
- Strong, pungent smell
- Slimy or mushy texture
- Dark or faded color
- Fish eyes that are cloudy and sunken into the head
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating spoiled fish can lead to serious health risks including:
- Food poisoning
- Botulism
- Salmonella
- Listeria
Safe Method?
To safely consume fish, ensure it is fresh, properly stored, and cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
Storage Tips
Store fish in the coldest part of your refrigerator’, ‘Use within 1-2 days of purchase’, ‘Freeze fish for longer storage
Preparation Tips
Clean fish thoroughly before cooking’, ‘Cook fish to an internal temperature of at least 145°F’, ‘Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for fish