Somethin' fishy

OMG!
I've just had the most brain damaging experience! I'm a real pain in the butt fussy eater (as Linda would happily confirm!) but I've always enjoyed fresh white fish since a wee lass (I'm from Scotland originally b.t.w!!). Tonight, I bought myself a yummy fillet of smoked cod, skinned, boned, etc. Placed some butter on top, wrapped it in foil, cooked for 25mins - looked/smelt divine! I then proceeded to tuck in, not really paying too much attention, as I was watching the telly. Then I spotted something "not right". It was a WORM! Yep - you read right - a frigging worm! :sign0137:

After throwing-up what I had already eaten (not through choice - it just happened!), I searched on Google to find out more. It's apparently extremely common in all white fish (great - just what I need to know) and completely harmless if cooked thoroughly. That doesn't help my brain out :sigh:. After reading several articles on the subject in the last half hour, its occurred to me, that I may well have consumed these critters in the past, and been completely oblivious to it - eeeuurrgh! How gross!
Have contacted the supermarket, who really are only obliged to offer a refund and/or replacement. They said to call back in the morning when Customer Services were open to discuss further.
Since starting to type this, my other half has come in from work, finds it a bit gross, but incredibly funny at my over-reaction!!!!

I thought it was only in Cod!

How serious is the problem of worms in fish?


No matter how carefully fish is inspected by processors, caterers and retailers, some worms will occasionally be discovered in fish by the consumer. In reply to complaints it should be pointed out that every reasonable precaution is taken to prevent worms being present in the edible part of a fish. A model purchase specification proposes a maximum of 3 worms in 3·2 kg of fillets of white fish in the United Kingdom, as judged by visual examination. An international standard, Codex Alimentarius, allows a maximum of 5 worms in 1 kg of fish of certain species; only worms of encapsulated diameter of 3 mm, or 1 cm in length, are considered to be of significance. It should therefore be emphasized that the presence of worms in fish offered for sale does not imply carelessness or bad practice on the part of the processor or retailer. It can also be explained that the presence of worms does not reduce the nutritional value of the fish, and that correct cooking or freezing will kill all parasites. The information in this note has been prepared jointly by the Marine Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Torry Research Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

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To read more click on link

Round Worms in Fish

Oh my word! I don't want to read the article as I love fish and get the feeling it will put me right off....

Urrgh! Fish is off my menu now
<<shudder>>

Oh my lord! I'm scared of fish as it is, although I don't mind eating it too much. Put me off for life has that! I wouldn't call it an over-reaction :O

It would not put me off!

:sign0137:

Mini said:

It would not put me off!

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Lol saying that...right now I'd eat anything

One of my counsellors told me about cod worms her husband works at Billingsgate market.

Bit scary isn't it! Wonder what the worm thought when it saw Lainey.

I can see the funny side but it would be different if it was me finding it:jelous::sign0137:

Hope you get over the shock soonatback:

And as for Gary :whoopass:

Well i WAS going to have fish tomorrow night, think ill pass now :sign0137:

OMG my stomach is churning just reading that. I love fish but will be checking it very, very carefully in future.

Although I mainly eat Salmon, is it a problem in Salmon too anyone know????

Worried Dotty!

Hi "Worried Dotty"!
Found a really informative blog called "Beyond Salmon" which a fairly clued up chapess lists the following fish as alternatives to the white varieties, unlikely to contain the round worms.

...salmon, trout, bluefish, red snapper, striped bass, mediterranean bass (branzino), sea bream (orata), mackerel, sable. As long as you avoid white fleshed fish, the odds of seeing a cod worm are close to zero. This isn't to say there couldn't be other parasites, but they are not likely to be visible and ikky looking.

So looks like salmon is okay for you hunny! My new found problem, is that I only tend to eat the white fish varieties! Can't stand fish with tons of ickle bones in, and sure can't prepare a fish that still looks like a fish! Gary can. He goes fishing frequently, can catch, gut, cook, the lot. I can't even bare to be near the kitchen when he doing that!

Am so p*ssed off now! I really enjoyed my fish once/twice a week! Just puts me off - for now anyways! Why the hell couldn't have been a worm in a chocolate bar, or a sponge cake, huh? That would have been a far more useful deterent and helpful to me!!! :giggle:

Found a worm in cod from the coop once and a friend found a tapeworm in haddock. So quite common place. I eat a lot of fish but now thats reminded me perhaps i will stick to quorn again until ive forgotten about it.
Apparently it is quite common in fish but you don't usually see them cause you've cooked it and it becomes harmless then.
:sign0137:

I dont think that I will be eating any fish again..lol x

LAINEY said:

Hi "Worried Dotty"!
Found a really informative blog called "Beyond Salmon" which a fairly clued up chapess lists the following fish as alternatives to the white varieties, unlikely to contain the round worms.

...salmon, trout, bluefish, red snapper, striped bass, mediterranean bass (branzino), sea bream (orata), mackerel, sable. As long as you avoid white fleshed fish, the odds of seeing a cod worm are close to zero. This isn't to say there couldn't be other parasites, but they are not likely to be visible and ikky looking.

Phew, I tend to eat salmon & tuna the most, not a fan of cod although do sometimes have sole, so hopefully there won't be any visitors in my fish

So looks like salmon is okay for you hunny! My new found problem, is that I only tend to eat the white fish varieties! Can't stand fish with tons of ickle bones in, and sure can't prepare a fish that still looks like a fish! Gary can. He goes fishing frequently, can catch, gut, cook, the lot. I can't even bare to be near the kitchen when he doing that!

No, I couldn't do that either!

Am so p*ssed off now! I really enjoyed my fish once/twice a week! Just puts me off - for now anyways! Why the hell couldn't have been a worm in a chocolate bar, or a sponge cake, huh? That would have been a far more useful deterent and helpful to me!!! :giggle:

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LOL - always the way, thoughtless worms honestly - not a care for anyone but themselves!!

Well thanks Lainey, I was just feeling really hungry then (DD on JUDDD) and now I have read this I don't!

See that worm has done me a good service at least. I must say I have never heard of worms in fish - puts me right off!

Am so grossed out! Love white fish, but never knew that about worms and maybe other parasites. Don't think I'll ever look at it in the same light again - ewwww! The vegetarian option is looking more and more appealing!

Oh yes, why couldn't it be chocolate or something like that lol

Jayne x

You poor thing! I would NEVER eat fish again if I were you. Then again if you're worried about the fish worms how do you feel about the beef and pork worms?
Hmmm am starting to wonder why I am not veggie!!
Ceri

Beef and pork worms Ceri?!!!
OMG - is no food safe from wriggly things??!!
I don't eat much beef or pork, but anyone reading this, PLEASE, please don't inform me about anything parasitic or problematic with chicken - otherwise I'm totally screwed!!! Becoming veggie is not an option for me neither, as I don't eat any veg or salad (not for the lack of trying!:sigh. So - any chicken info - keep schtum - as I can't afford to know!!!!

Ignorance is definately bliss Lainey!