Community Chat

[LilacTree]

I eat a lot of shrimp and they are bottom feeders also, so I've probably eaten my share of worms . . . ugh!

[LilacTree]

On 5/25/2014 tansy said: Hmmm, Ford...some days I can't even find my thinking cap. Luckily, Costco sells them in six-packs

[colliemom4]

Lots of fish has worms in it. So gross I know, but I've seen it before in fish from a deep sea fishing trip.

[Kachina624]

On 5/25/2014 Lion said:

I actually did find a (dead) "worm" in a piece of fried cod when we were out to dinner a few year ago.

Later, I received a call from someone in the fish industry who was connected to the the sale of fish to that restaurant and he gave me pretty much the exact same information as in the linked article here.

He referred to cod as a "bottom feeder" and it was common for them to pick up these parasites. He explained the same process as in the article that they use to look for these before selling the fish, and he also assured us that the fish is completely safe when fully cooked.

If you eat cod (or similar fish), there's a chance you've encountered this and didn't even know it.

That's why I don't eat catfish. They're bottom feeding scavengers. They also taste like mud, even the farm-raised.

[croemer]

ACK...I know this happens but have never experienced finding a worm in my seafood to my knowledge and I have eaten a lot of seafood. My husband says I look at my food too much... because if there is going to be a critter, hair etc. it will be found in my food.

[sfnative]

I am no fish expert, but can share a personal experience that might help.

Before they went out of business, my favorite market in San Francisco was Petrini's. Their butcher counter was the depth of the store, with another 15 feet devoted to poultry and fish. Because we like cod, I purchased ling cod one Saturday. Upon arriving home, I opened up the butcher-wrapped ling cod in oder to re-wrap it for use the following day. At the same time, I cut the good sized filets in half. It was at this point that I saw my first "fish worm" and nearly freaked out. I immediately packaged up that portion of filet and placed it in the freezer.

On Monday at work, I called the USDA and after being passed about, was finally able to speak with someone regarding the fresh ling cod I had purchased. What followed was a brief lecture on bottom feeders and near bottom feeders. These are the fish most likely to have worms. I was also told that the worms are not poisonous and that I should simply cut the bit of cod off with the worm and dispose of it. We did eat the remainder of the ling cod without any problems.

Edited to add: I wouldn't hesitate to purchase fish from Costco.

[cody2]

On 5/25/2014 sfnative said:

I am no fish expert, but can share a personal experience that might help.

Before they went out of business, my favorite market in San Francisco was Petrini's. Their butcher counter was the depth of the store, with another 15 feet devoted to poultry and fish. Because we like cod, I purchased ling cod one Saturday. Upon arriving home, I opened up the butcher-wrapped ling cod in oder to re-wrap it for use the following day. At the same time, I cut the good sized filets in half. It was at this point that I saw my first "fish worm" and nearly freaked out. I immediately packaged up that portion of filet and placed it in the freezer.

On Monday at work, I called the USDA and after being passed about, was finally able to speak with someone regarding the fresh ling cod I had purchased. What followed was a brief lecture on bottom feeders and near bottom feeders. These are the fish most likely to have worms. I was also told that the worms are not poisonous and that I should simply cut the bit of cod off with the worm and dispose of it. We did eat the remainder of the ling cod without any problems.

Edited to add: I wouldn't hesitate to purchase fish from Costco.

Petrini's is missed. I still have and use their cookbook for meats, chicken and fish. Some of my favorite recipes come from that little book.

[NoelSeven]

On 5/25/2014 cody said:

On 5/25/2014 sfnative said:

I am no fish expert, but can share a personal experience that might help.

Before they went out of business, my favorite market in San Francisco was Petrini's. Their butcher counter was the depth of the store, with another 15 feet devoted to poultry and fish. Because we like cod, I purchased ling cod one Saturday. Upon arriving home, I opened up the butcher-wrapped ling cod in oder to re-wrap it for use the following day. At the same time, I cut the good sized filets in half. It was at this point that I saw my first "fish worm" and nearly freaked out. I immediately packaged up that portion of filet and placed it in the freezer.

On Monday at work, I called the USDA and after being passed about, was finally able to speak with someone regarding the fresh ling cod I had purchased. What followed was a brief lecture on bottom feeders and near bottom feeders. These are the fish most likely to have worms. I was also told that the worms are not poisonous and that I should simply cut the bit of cod off with the worm and dispose of it. We did eat the remainder of the ling cod without any problems.

Edited to add: I wouldn't hesitate to purchase fish from Costco.

Petrini's is missed. I still have and use their cookbook for meats, chicken and fish. Some of my favorite recipes come from that little book.

Loved Petrini's!

As disgusting as many of us find them, worms in fish are not uncommon, which is why fish isn't usually served rare. Supposedly, a good sushi chef can choose fish without worms.

I'm glad I didn't see this line before I ate raw fish from Costco the other day They're doing high quality ahi, marinated and ready to go for various dishes. I have to say it was delicious.

[cody2]

I don't eat fish or seafood of any kind. After a decade in Catholic boarding school, fish every Friday which I was forced to eat even though I hated it, cured me. I cook filet of sole, shrimp and crab for my husband and cook something else for myself. Arrggg.

[kdgn]

I'm afraid that if I found a live (or dead) worm in the fish I buy at Costco that would be the last time I bought that fish. It wouldn't stop me from shopping there; I just wouldn't ever eat that fish again for the rest of my life..........