I am so glad that I saw this so I can be on the lookout. Apparently, this is normal, but that's a big nope from me. I saw this photo shared with a group for Minnesota Fishing, asking if anyone knew what it was. Was this part of the fish, or was this a parasite or a worm? The answer is a little unsettling.

Alex bought his salmon filets at a big department store very popular in Minnesota. I'm not going to say where it is, because it could happen anywhere. He asked the question if anyone knows what it was. Immediately a bunch of people called it out as roundworms. I guess it's very common, especially in salmon filets.

The good news is that it isn't harmful to humans who eat it if it's been frozen or fully cooked. Still, I don't think I'll ever be able to look at a salmon filet again without picking through it. Ever. Sorry. But, I would rather know now than midway through eating one, like this guy's wife noticed. I'm not sure she'll ever eat it again!

Sammy Ryerson via YouTube
Sammy Ryerson via YouTube
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The parasites are easy to spot in salmon, because of the color contrast. The bright pink salmon makes it easier to see the roundworm (or any other parasites.) Biologists agree that it is completely normal for your fish to have parasites. The Minnesota DNR actually has a section of its website dedicated to parasites and if they are safe to eat. Most of the time it's normal.

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I remember once we caught our limit of bluegills on a small lake in Northern Minnesota. We went to clean and cook them over the campfire and they were all full of black spots which turned out to be parasites called Neascus. What a bummer! Some people were brave enough to eat it after it was fully cooked. The majority of us passed on it.

Minnesota DNR
Minnesota DNR
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At the suggestion of somebody in the comment section, I went and search YouTube for this and immediately found videos of the worms in the packaging at a store.

I know next time I'm buying fish (if I do again) I'll be looking hard at these packages. Yes, if you fully cook it there is nothing to worry about. But if you saw a worm in your food would you keep eating it? Let us know in the comments!

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