What's Sashimi Grade Salmon?

So when you see a piece of fish labeled sushi- or sashimi-grade, that means that the seller has judged it safe to eat raw. The claim is only as trustworthy as the fish market that makes it.

Can you eat raw salmon from the grocery store?

Yes, you can eat salmon raw from high-quality grocery stores if it's been previously frozen. “Sushi grade” doesn't have a legal definition. It's simply up to the grocery store to say if something is safe to eat raw. But salmon can contain parasites, so buying previously frozen ensures any parasites are killed.

What's the difference between sashimi grade salmon and regular salmon?

There's a difference between raw salmon and "sushi grade" salmon. Chef Shigeru Shiraishi of Takumi Restaurant Singapore says salmon used for sashimi has been "super frozen" at minus 40 deg C. The process kills parasitic worms that fish are host to but doesn't break down the flesh, so the meat remains fresh.