The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi, has advised consumers not to avoid tuna fish or other commercially available fish solely on the basis of reports of parasitic infections detected from a specific geographical region.
The advisory follows reports highlighting the presence of parasites in skipjack tuna based on a study of fish from the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil.
The Institute stated that fish examined along the Indian coast, including tuna, have not shown external manifestations of harmful parasitic infestation. The Institute added that such findings from other regions should not be generalized to fish caught in Indian waters.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said that as an additional food-safety precaution, the Institute has advised that proper and prompt evisceration is important during fish handling and processing. The Institute advised consumers to follow appropriate handling, cleaning and cooking practices to minimise potential risks while continuing to benefit from the nutritional value of fish and other seafood.
