Archive · 24 Sep 2026
ICAR-CMFRI advises consumers not to avoid tuna over parasites
Some reports found parasites in skipjack tuna from waters near Brazil.
ICAR-CMFRI said this does not mean tuna caught near India has the same problem.
Scientists regularly examine fish along the Indian coast.
They said the fish they examined did not show outside signs of harmful parasites.
Parasites can be more common in some places than others.
Cleaning fish quickly and removing its internal organs can help.
Cooking seafood properly kills parasites and lowers the risk of illness.
People can continue eating tuna while following safe food practices.
ICAR-CMFRI said consumers need not avoid tuna over parasite reports from a specific region.
The reports involved skipjack tuna studied in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil.
Fish examined along India’s coast, including tuna, showed no external signs of harmful parasitic infestation.
Parasite prevalence can vary between fish and geographical regions due to ecological conditions and host availability.
The institute recommended prompt evisceration, proper handling, and thorough cooking to reduce potential risks.
- Who
- The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, led by Director Dr Grinson George, issued the advisory.
- What
- The institute advised consumers not to avoid tuna or other commercially available fish solely because parasites were reported in fish from another region.
- When
- The advisory was reported on September 24.
- Where
- It concerned fish examined along India’s coast and parasite reports involving skipjack tuna from the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil.
- Why
- Parasite occurrence varies by geographical region, and proper cleaning and cooking can reduce food-safety risks.
- Advising institution
- ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
- Director quoted
- Dr Grinson George
- Fish in reported study
- Skipjack tuna
- Study region
- Atlantic Ocean off Brazil
- Indian examination
- Fish examined along India’s coast showed no external manifestations of harmful parasitic infestation.
- Safety advice
- Prompt evisceration, appropriate handling, and proper cooking
- Cooking effect
- Proper cooking kills parasites and significantly reduces associated food-safety risks.