Snip for Safety!

Snip for Safety!

 You may have seen one of the several items in the news recently about foodborne illness. Romaine lettuce and pre-sliced melon were the most recent culprits, but there have been numerous other foods that have threatened Listeria, E. coli and Botulism. No one wants to seek out the freshest food only to be burdened with the idea of contracting a foodborne illness!

Wild for Salmon flash freezes and individually vacuum packs its wild-caught salmon and other seafood. This packaging maintains the freshness of the fish, its nutrient value, provides individual servings, and allows the consumer to see the product inside…great, right? We eat with our eyes as well as our mouths.

However, if the fish is thawed improperly, there is a slight chance that Clostridium botulinum, can grow. These bacteria produce a toxin that can cause the foodborne illness, Botulism. The illness can occur when the toxin is consumed.

But, what is the relationship between the packaging and the bacteria?

The rod-shaped bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum are anaerobic bacteria, meaning they thrive in conditions with low oxygen. The vacuum packaging (vac pac) used for many seafood products removes oxygen in the processing, as oxygen is also an enemy to food freshness. If the food item is thawed at too high a temperature (exceeding 38 degrees F), it supports the potential for growth of this harmful bacteria.  However, by snipping open the package, or removing the seafood from the vac pac altogether, it re-introduces oxygen and removes the risk of the growth of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

For safest and best results, when thawing your Wild for Salmon seafood:

Keeping original package:

• Snip the corner or make a small slit in the package to introduce air.
• Place on a plate or bowl, and put in refrigerator to thaw overnight
• Prepare and enjoy!

• Remove seafood from original package.
• Place on a plate or bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and thaw in refrigerator overnight.
• Prepare and enjoy!

Wild for Salmon seafood is wild-caught, sustainably harvested, and nutritionally dense. And, it simply tastes terrific. Follow these simple pointers to regularly and safely enjoy the sockeye salmon and other seafood products sent from our boat to your plate!