Parasite Destruction for Fish/Seafood
Establishment name:
Address:
City:
ZIP code:
Tel:
Some species of fish contain parasites that can be harmful if eaten. Freezing is a method of
killing these parasites prior to serving to your customer. If a restaurant serves raw or
undercooked fish the food operator must provide proof the fish was frozen properly for parasite
destruction.
What are the exemptions to freezing for parasite destruction?
WAC 246-215 Part 3 Subpart D Section 03425 exempts the following fish or fish products from
the freezing requirements: molluscan shellfish, aquacultured fish (such as salmon) that have
been raised in net pens, ponds, or tanks and are fed commercially formulated pellet food, fish
eggs that have been removed from the skein and rinsed, and the following tuna species, which
are naturally parasite free due to their body temperature: Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus albacares
(Yellowfin tuna), Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus maccoyii (Bluefin tuna, Southern), Thunnus
obesus (Bigeye tuna), or Thunnus thynnus (Bluefin tuna, Northern)
Freezing requirements for parasite destruction:
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Frozen and stored at a temperature of -20oC (-4oF) or below for a minimum of 168 hours
(7 days) in a freezer OR
Frozen at -35oC (-31oF) or below until solid and stored at -35oC (31oF) or below for a
minimum of 15 hours OR
Frozen at -35oC (31oF) or below until solid and stored at -20oC (-4oF) or below for a
minimum of 24 hours
Environmental Health Division
3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104  Everett, WA 98201-3900  fax: 425.339.5254  tel: 425.339.5250
1.  Yes  No Will the fish be frozen by your supplier? If yes please provide written
documentation from your supplier that includes the contact information of the
supplier (name, address, phone number, etc.), species of fish the supplier will be
freezing for parasite destruction, the exact length of time and temperature each
species is frozen.
2.  Yes  No Are the fish aquacultured and raised and fed as specified on page 1?
If yes, please provide a written agreement or statement from the supplier or
aquaculturist stipulating that the fish were raised and fed commercially formulated
pellet food.
3.  Yes  No Will you be freezing your own fish for parasite destruction? If yes,
please have your local health officer assist you in formulating an approved plan that
will meet the above requirements
Records for questions 2 and 3 must kept onsite for 90 days.
Why does the Snohomish Health District Food Code require parasite destruction records
to be maintained for 90 days?
There are a number of fish parasites that take days, weeks and even months to make someone
sick. When we are notified of a parasitic infection in a person, public health investigates how,
where, and when the person consumed it, and the food handling process at the source.
Documentation of freezing fish for parasite destruction was set at 90 days because of the length
of time involved with the onset of illness and the investigation of the food source.
I understand that all the information provided is correct to the best of my knowledge. Failure to
abide by this agreement will void approval.
Name (please print):
Signature:
Date:
ParasiteDestructionFish_Seafood_EH_8_2014_kkc
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Environmental Health Division
3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104  Everett, WA 98201-3900  fax: 425.339.5254  tel: 425.339.5250