The consumption of shrimps is extremely beneficial for your health since they are one of the best sources of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and B12.
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However, numerous kinds of shrimps that are sold in the U.S. may not be the healthiest choice of food because they have been raised in a very different way.
In America, one of the most predominant importers of seafood is Vietnam, with more than 100 million pounds of shrimp annually.
The requirements of shrimp in the U.S. have significantly increased in the last twenty years, which has caused a great competition in the seafood market.
In order to keep pace with the competition, this situation has led to reduced health standards and food safety.
Why Is the Asian Farming of Seafood a Cause for Concern?
A recent research has found out that the Vietnamese farmers freeze the shrimps in water, which is not safe for consumption, before exporting them to the United States.
The microbiologist Mansour Samadpour, a specialist in shellfish farming water testing, states that the water which is used by the farmers supports the development of harmful bacteria and diseases.
Furthermore, the investigation has discovered that a farm of tilapia in Yangjiang, China, feeds their fish with feces from pigs and geese.
According to the director of the University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety, Michael Doyle, this will result in an increment of numerous bacterial diseases.
Mr. Doyle claims that the manure used in China for feeding the fish is commonly contaminated with microbes such as salmonella.
The farmed seafood is far more dangerous than the wild-caught one since the farmed fish and shellfish are packed with harmful antibiotics.
A study, published in Consumer Reports, discovered that the farmed shrimps contain extremely high levels of bacteria and antibiotics, providing another reason why you must avoid consuming farmed seafood.
A similar study, conducted on 342 frozen shrimp samples, found out that 60% of the samples contained either salmonella, listeria, E.coli, or vibrio.
Also, the scientists discovered traces of sulfa antibiotics, enrofloxacin, and oxytetracycline in the shrimp samples.
In the United States, 94% of the imported shrimps originate from Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
The farming conditions in these countries raise a great concern since they can result in an overuse of antibiotics and a spread of diseases.
Therefore, you should tend to consume local and wild-caught fish. Even though the imported farmed seafood is cheaper, it is extremely damaging to your health.
This food is loaded with bacteria and antibiotic residue, which expose you to the risk of many severe diseases.