3 Types of Shrimp to Avoid Buying
Shrimp has long been considered a delicious and nutritious food, commonly found on the tables of many households. However, not all types of shrimp are safe and good for health. Here are 4 types of shrimp that consumers should avoid, based on research and recommendations from nutrition and food safety experts.
– Shrimp raised in unsanitary conditions and fed with chemicals
Many shrimp farms do not comply with hygiene and environmental protection regulations, leading to shrimp living in polluted environments with waste and toxic chemicals. Shrimp raised in these conditions are often diseased and contain harmful toxins that can have negative health effects when consumed.
To promote rapid growth, some shrimp farms use feed that contains chemicals and antibiotics that are not allowed. These chemicals are not only harmful to the surrounding environment but can also accumulate in the shrimp’s body, making them unsafe for consumers. Consumers should research the farming methods and care of shrimp before deciding to make a purchase.
Shrimp injected with impurities often have larger heads. Image from the internet
– Abnormally large and bloated shrimp
Abnormally large and bloated shrimp are at risk of being injected with impurities. These shrimp are so large that the segments on the shrimp’s body are almost stretched out. Chemically injected shrimp are hard, while normal shrimp are relatively soft and curved.
The shells of chemically injected shrimp from segments 1 or 3 (counted from the head to the tail) become swollen, water-retaining, and scaly when touched. Segment 3 is stretched, the shrimp’s body is bloated, and even unnaturally round.
When peeling the shrimp: Peel the head shell, hold the head of the shrimp downwards, and use your hand to peel the head shell to reveal the meaty part of the head. Use a sharp knife to flip and scrape the brick-like mass (pancreas) upwards to reveal the head chamber to see if there is any abnormal fluid accumulation.
Natural shrimp have no abnormalities in the pancreas; the head chamber is clean, dry, and does not have viscous fluid. If the shrimp is injected with impurities, the head chamber will have fluid and an unusual smell.
– Shrimp with detached heads
If you go to the market and see shrimp with detached or rotten heads, you should not buy them. Shrimp with detached heads are often dead, wilted, especially those with black spots should not be consumed.
The middle part of the shrimp’s body and head easily turns black. If the connection between them is black, broken, and the shrimp’s head is about to fall off, it means that the shrimp is no longer fresh. Do not buy shrimp if you see these signs.
Do not be tempted to buy wilted shrimp because the nutritional value is reduced and it is highly likely to be contaminated. Image from the internet
Tips for choosing fresh and delicious shrimp
– Observe the color: Fresh shrimp often have a pale pink or gray color. If you see shrimp that are bright red or have unusual colors, the shrimp may no longer be fresh or have been treated with chemicals. Also, be aware of choosing shrimp with black spots on their heads or under their shells, as these are signs of shrimp decomposition.
– Check the smell: Fresh shrimp has a mild sea smell that is not unpleasant. If you smell a strong fishy, ammonia-like, or other unpleasant odor, it indicates that the shrimp is spoiled or no longer fresh. A piece of advice is to buy shrimp from reputable sources that allow you to check the smell before making a purchase.
– Resilience: Gently press the shrimp’s body. Fresh shrimp will have high resilience, meaning that when you press and release, the shrimp’s body will return to its original shape. If the shrimp’s body sinks and does not return to its shape, it means that the shrimp is not fresh.
– Meat adhesion: When removing the shell, if you find that the shrimp meat comes off easily from the shell and has a firm texture, it is fresh shrimp. Loose meat, sticking tightly to the shell, or easily crumbling upon touch are signs of shrimp that are not fresh.
Source: Người đưa tin
