Sushi and Kids Food Safety

Whether sushi is a safe food for kids really depends on how the sushi is prepared and what it's made from.

Traditionally, sushi is raw fish or rice prepared with raw fish. Raw fish consumption is never safe for children. Raw fish can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses and parasites, and many of these can cause severe food-borne illness.

However, sushi commercially available in grocery stores or other markets is often prepared with cooked fish, cooked rice and vegetables. Such sushi can be considered a safe food for kids if it is prepared in a safe manner, is protected from cross-contamination by raw fish and other hazardous foods, and is stored safely prior to consumption.