5 Foods That Can Carry Parasites — And How to Eat Them Safely

• • Risk: Can carry Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) or Trichinella

• Symptoms (if infected): Stomach pain, nausea, muscle pain, fatigue
• ✅ How to stay safe:
  • Cook pork to 145°F (63°C) with a 3-minute rest
  • Avoid raw or rare pork (like undercooked sausages or charcuterie in high-risk areas)

2. Raw or Undercooked Fish (Sushi, Sashimi, Ceviche)

• • Risk: Can carry Anisakis (a parasitic worm) or liver flukes

• Common in wild-caught fish not properly frozen
• ✅ How to stay safe:
  • Eat sushi from reputable restaurants that follow FDA freezing guidelines
  • Freeze fish at -4°F (-20°C) for 7 days to kill parasites
  • Avoid raw fish if pregnant or immunocompromised

3. Fresh Produce (Leafy Greens, Berries, Herbs)

• • Risk: Can be contaminated with Toxoplasma, Giardia, or Cryptosporidium from soil or water

• Outbreaks linked to lettuce, spinach, and raspberries
• ✅ How to stay safe:
  • Wash all produce under running water (even if pre-washed)
  • Scrub firm produce like melons or cucumbers
  • Store in clean containers
  • Keep separate from raw meat

4. Raw or Unpasteurized Milk and Dairy

• • Risk: Can carry Cryptosporidium, Giardia, or Toxoplasma

• Raw milk is not safer — it’s a higher-risk product
• ✅ How to stay safe:
  • Choose pasteurized milk and cheese
  • Avoid raw dairy if pregnant, young, elderly, or immunocompromised

5. Undercooked Game Meat (Venison, Wild Boar, Bear)

• • Risk: Higher chance of Trichinella or tapeworms

• Wild animals are more likely to carry parasites
• ✅ How to stay safe:
  • Cook game meat to 160°F (71°C)
  • Freeze wild meat before cooking (if allowed)
  • Practice strict kitchen hygiene

✅ How to Prevent Parasitic Infections (Simple Habits)

🌍 When traveling to areas with poor sanitation, drink bottled water and avoid raw foods.

🚨 When to See a Doctor

See a healthcare provider if you have:

• • Diarrhea lasting more than 2–3 days

• • Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue or muscle pain after eating undercooked meat or raw fish

• Final Thoughts

   

   

  You don’t need to fear your food.

   

   

  Yes, some foods can carry parasites — but the risk is very low if you follow basic food safety practices.

   

   

  Instead of avoiding nutritious foods, focus on:

  • • Washing produce

   

   

  • Cooking meat thoroughly
  • Choosing pasteurized dairy
  • Practicing good kitchen hygiene

  Because true health isn’t about fear.
  It’s about knowledge, preparation, and enjoying your meals with confidence.