The question of what is sushi grade fish comes up a lot and no one seems to accurately answer that question. After some research I am now able to provide information as to the guidelines and regulations that are followed in the seafood industry in terms of serving raw seafood. As for micro standards for sushi or sashimi grade seafood, I have spoken with many in the seafood industry who supply ‘sushi grade’ fish for sushi and sashimi served at restaurants and they all give me the same answer… they do not know of any regulations from either the FDA or any other agencies regarding ‘sushi grade’ seafood, which is why suppliers have set up their own micro and chemical parameters for their products. A personal search of FDA documents turns up the same results, no clear standards as to what makes fish ‘sushi grade’ or ‘sashimi grade’ and no definition of the term. The only concern any inspectors have is referred to as the parasite destruction guarantee, which is accomplished by ‘freezing and storing seafood at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 7 days (total time), or freezing at -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and storing at -31°F (-35°C) or below for 15 hours, or freezing at -31°F (-35°C) or below until solid and storing at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 24 hours’

which is sufficient to kill parasites. The FDA’s Food Code recommends these freezing conditions to retailers who provide fish intended for raw consumption (for further information, please visit the FDA website). Some exceptions to that rule are bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and farmed salmon. I know that is a mouthful, but it’s the facts.  Other than a few specific organisms of concern for some seafood, sashimi standards are set as any other ready-to-eat item, e.g. sushi. ninja sushi menu north brunswickThis means that, aside from the FDA recommendations and local Health Department requirements, there are no laws or recommendations for "sushi/sashimi grade" fish. sushi grade fish torranceIt is no more than a marketing term.sushi making kit selfridges

As for those on the serving side, their main concern seems to be with the seafood vendors.  Many of them will declare that the products they provide are "sushi/sashimi" grade but with no standards to back up those claims.  In the U.S. parasite destruction is required for those species where that hazard is identified but you’ll find that most chefs will claim that they use "fresh" salmon and other products. where to buy sushi grade ahi tuna vancouverThis may be because they do not know, perhaps it is delivered thawed by the local supplier (who may or may not have frozen it according to the requirements), or they may even use fresh, never frozen, salmon.  jiro dreams of sushi vancouver theatresThe term "fresh" for sushi fish has been linked to higher quality in the minds of many consumers and therefore the restaurants use this as a selling point even though the product may have been previously frozen (usually aboard the fishing vessel) and serving certain species without proper freezing is against regulations.yo sushi menu fairfield ca

Sushi rice is another critical part of sushi preparation, for many reasons.  Many sushi restaurants use acidification as a control but the final sushi products must be cooled to below 40F before put onto display in a self-service case (in the case of supermarkets, et. al.).  However, sushi restaurants do not cool the items before serving to customers since such a short time lapses between preparation and consumption.  Once the rice is acidified, time is not used as a control and therefore it can be stored at room temperature where the quality is best and it is also easiest with which to work.  As you can see, there are many issues that affect the quality of the sushi served in restaurants or as ‘ready-to-eat’ meals. But with no federal regulations, it’s all about practical standards and health code restrictions. When you eat sushi from a quality establishment, you may expect that the FDA requirements for parasitic destruction have been followed, however you are at the mercy of the preparer to make sure that subsequent to being frozen and thawed, your food has been handled properly.

On the whole, I don’t worry. But I also don’t eat anywhere that seems like they may not be devoted to proper sanitary standards. Good sushi is, in my opinion, well worth the minimal risk. 9 tips so far0.23594679 BTC(avg tip 0.02622 BTC)Like this post? Tip me with bitcoin!12h3FkDnmW1bdjsRW4pyfdoGUgB47roaB4If you enjoyed reading this post, please consider tipping me using Bitcoin. Each post gets its own unique Bitcoin address so by tipping you're not only making my continued efforts possible but telling me what you liked. If you tip, thank you for helping me keep this website alive!Tokyo Fish Market1220 San Pablo AveBerkeley, CA 94706(510) 524-7243I think Tokyo Fish Market is the best retail Japanese market to get fish for your sushi and all the ingredients you need to make sushi. When in season, fresh  local albacore is my absolute favorite.(late summer, call to check the  availability) Early Saturday morning  is a good day to go since   they stock more variety of fish for the weekend.

They will cut fish for you by the pound or you can choose pre-cut packages of fish.Types of fish: Tuna  (yellowfin, big eye, bluefin), Toro, Hirame (Halibut), Tai (Red  Snapper), Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Hiramasa, Kanpachi (Amberjack), Sockeye Salmon, Uni  (Sea Urchin), Scallops, Oysters (Point Rays, Kumamoto, Miyagi), Ebi  (Shrimp), Ama•Ebi (Sweet Shrimp), Tobiko (Flying fish roe), Ikura (Salmon Roe), Unagi (Fresh  Water Eel - Frozen), Saba (Japanese Mackerel - Frozen) Nijiya Market1737 Post StSan Francisco, CA 94115Japan Town, San Francisco and several locations in Bay AreaIf you are cooking Japanese food, this would be the market to go. Lately, quality of sashimi and sushi fish got lot better.Types of fish: Tuna  (yellow fin, blue fin), Toro, Hirame (Halibut), Tai (Red Snapper),  Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Kanpachi, Salmon, Uni (Sea Urchin), Scallops,  Ankimo (Monk Fish Liver, both raw and cooked), Ebi (Shrimp), Tobiko  (Flying fish roe), Ikura (Salmon Roe), Unagi (Fresh Water Eel, Frozen),  Saba (Japanese Mackerel), Aji (Spanish Mackerel) Monterey Fish Market1582 Hopkins St. Berkeley, CA 94707510.525.5600Excellent sushi grade fish many caught in a sustainable way.

Our beloved fish supplier.Types of fish:Oysters, Tuna, Tombo, Crab, Shrimp Marukai19750 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014408.200.4850Good sized supermarket where you can get pretty much everything you need  to cook a Japanese meal. Great selection of fresh fish ranging from  tuna to Sea Urchin - the best selection and price in South Bay/Penninsula. When I visited there the last time, they had nice block of Big Eye Tuna for around $11/lbs and that is a great deal!Types of fish:Tuna  (yellowfin, big eye, bluefin), Toro, Hirame (Halibut), Tai (Red  Snapper), Hamachi (Yellow Tail), Hiramasa, Kanpachi (Amberjack), Sockeye Salmon, Uni  (Sea Urchin), Scallops, Oysters (Point Rays, Kumamoto, Miyagi), Ebi  (Shrimp), Ama•Ebi (Sweet Shrimp), Tobiko (Flying fish roe), Ikura (Salmon Roe), Unagi (Fresh  Water Eel - Frozen), Saba (Japanese Mackerel - Frozen), Ika (Squid)Mitsuwa Market Place675 Saratoga Ave.,San Jose, CA 95129TEL: (408) 255-6699The biggest Japanese Grocery Store in US.

Call to check their availability.Super Mira Market1790 Sutter St(between Buchanan St & Laguna St)San Francisco, CA 94115Small family owned supermarket in Japan town. They have a small amount and good quality of sushi quality fish.Types of fish:Tuna, Tai (Red Snapper), Unagi, Saba(Japanese Mackarel) Whole Foods MarketThroughout Bay AreaWhole Foods? Yes, they do have some ingredients you can use to make  sushi including vacuum packed Tuna and Salmon, thought the quality is  inferior to the ones at Tokyo Fish or Nijiya. It is worth checking out.Type of fish: Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp (Cooked, frozen), Scallops, Smoked Salmon, Crab Meat, Imitation Crab MeatYou can find sushi grade fish online easily. /including info on just what "sushi grade fish" really means. (hint, it's bull hockey, there is no such thing, regulatorilly speaking, if that's a word).San Francisco must have a ton of Japanese grocery stores where you can buy "sushi grade" fish to make sushi at home. Google it and specifically look at "Google places"  to find them.