【Reading】あにきさす

【English Name】Anixus

Anisakis is a nematode that parasitizes marine fish and shellfish, a white thread-like worm 2–3 cm in length and 0.5–1 mm in width. It parasitizes a wide range of sushi toppings, including mackerel (saba), horse mackerel (aji), Pacific saury (sanma), bonito (katsuo), sardine (iwashi), salmon (sake), and squid (ika). Its true final hosts are marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, and in the human body it bores into the wall of the stomach and intestines, causing severe abdominal pain and vomiting. In 2021 it accounted for 344 of 717 food-poisoning cases (about 48%), ranking first among causes of food poisoning for four consecutive years since 2018. For prevention, heating to 70°C or above, or freezing at −20°C for 24 hours or more, is effective. It is not killed by vinegar-curing, wasabi, or soy sauce. Because it migrates from the internal organs to the muscle as freshness declines, prompt removal of the internal organs is also important.