A recent scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlights that many commonly farmed and consumed fish in the EU/EFTA region show no evidence of parasites that can infect humans. However, some farmed species have been found to harbour parasites, underscoring the need for further data collection to assess the prevalence of these parasites.
According to EFSA’s findings, fish species such as Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, gilthead seabream, turbot, meagre, Atlantic halibut, carp, and European catfish are largely free from zoonotic parasite infection. However, parasites like Anisakis and others have been detected in European seabass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, cod, and tench produced in certain farming environments like open offshore cages or flow-through ponds.
Fish produced in closed recirculating aquaculture systems with filtered water intake and heat-treated feed are deemed almost certainly free of zoonotic parasites. Despite these assurances, EFSA stresses the necessity for more data to accurately estimate the prevalence of specific parasites in various fish species, farming systems, and production areas within the EU/EFTA region.
EFSA’s experts have evaluated new methods for detecting and killing parasites in fish, including UV-scanning, optical, molecular, and OMICs methodologies. Freezing and heating remain the most effective methods for parasite inactivation, but ongoing research is exploring alternative processing techniques such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, and the use of natural products.
By the end of the year, EFSA will determine whether any wild fish species from specific fishing areas pose a risk to public health due to the presence of zoonotic parasites. This ongoing research and evaluation aims to ensure the safety and quality of farmed fish products in the EU/EFTA region, providing consumers with peace of mind regarding their seafood choices.
