Table of Contents
- Can you get food poisoning from fried calamari?
- What is calamari?
- How long does calamari food poisoning last?
- Symptoms of calamari food poisoning
- How to avoid calamari food poisoning?
- Can undercooked calamari make you sick?
- Tips to cook calamari properly
- How do you tell if fried calamari is undercooked?
- How long can cooked calamari sit out?
- Tips to refrigerate calamari
- Conclusion
Can you get food poisoning from fried calamari?
You may not know this, but you can get food poisoning from fried calamari. It’s a bit of a debate whether or not the bacteria that are present in squid and octopus can cause food poisoning when they are cooked at high temperatures. What we do know is that you can get food poisoning from fried calamari.
We have so much to discuss fried calamari in this blog post.
Let’s get into it!
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What is calamari?
You might be thinking what is calamari! Calamari is squid or octopus in Italian, and it is deep-fried. It is found in Mediterranean cuisine. You might have had calamari during a meal in an Italian restaurant, or you may have made it at home! Now let’s get to the important part of this article, which is about getting food poisoning from fried calamari.
Fried calamari is served as an appetizer. It has a few benefits:
It is a tasty dish that will definitely make you hungry and want to fill up on more.
Calamari is very low in fat; it contains less than 2 grams of fat per 100-gram serving. This means that your fried calamari appetizer will not cause any blockages in your arteries as there isn’t much cholesterol in the dish.
Fried calamari is very high in niacin, which means it gives you a good amount of energy for your day.
How long does calamari food poisoning last?
Food poisoning is caused by certain types of food poisoning, and it is usually caused by bacteria. Food poisoning is a general term for food that makes you sick. You might have had a stomach bug and did not check the type of food it came from, but if you get vomiting and diarrhea after a meal, it could be due to fried calamari.
Food poisoning from eating fried calamari lasts two to three days and even more for some people.
In short, It is hard to tell how long you will experience food poisoning from fried calamari, as it can vary from person to person. However, it usually lasts a few days and may take up to a week.
Symptoms of calamari food poisoning
The most common symptoms that people experience when they ingest food with bacteria are as follows:
Vomiting and nausea
Vomiting and nausea are the most common causes when it comes to food poisoning from calamari. This is because the squid or octopus is not cooked for long enough.
Diarrhea
When it comes to food poisoning, diarrhea is the second-most common symptom you will experience. If you eat fried calamari that has bacteria in it, your intestine will be inflamed because of the presence of bacteria in your system. This causes diarrhea to occur, which is also called colitis.
Lack of energy
When you eat fried calamari that has bacteria in it or under-cooked squid or octopus, your digestive system will be disrupted. You won’t have the same amount of energy that you normally would because when food poisoning occurs it is hard for your body to function properly.
Body aches
Other symptoms are less common but still possible when you get food poisoning from fried calamari. Headaches, chills, or body aches are all rare signs of bacterial infection in the digestive system. These only occur in severe cases when the bacteria have time to spread through your entire body.
Shock with low blood pressure
If you experience shock at the same time as low blood pressure, it is likely that your body is not getting enough oxygen because of how low your blood pressure is.
Collapse with rapid heartbeat
This occurs in severe cases when the bacteria in your system spread throughout your entire body.
Read More: Why do my fried eggs burn?
How to avoid calamari food poisoning?
It’s time to see the solutions and preventions of calamari food poisoning. In order to treat yourself you must follow these recommendations:
Check the expiration date
Always check the expiration date on products before you buy them at grocery stores.
When you want to buy fried calamari, make sure you check what types of restaurants are in the area. Go to a place that has trusted reviews and high ratings because they will usually have fresh squid or octopus that has been cooked for long enough.
Cook properly
Make sure that your fried calamari is cooked properly by seeing that it is thick and yellow. A good indication of whether or not the squid or octopus has been cooked for long enough is if it changes color. It also should not be slimy to touch, which is another sign of undercooked food.
Stay hydrated
When you are sick, it is vital to stay hydrated. Drink one glass of water after each time you vomit or have diarrhea to replace the liquids that are lost by your body. If you do not drink enough fluids, it will cause dehydration, which can make things worse.
Can undercooked calamari make you sick?
This one is really obvious. Yes, Of course! Eating undercooked calamari can make you sick because the squid or octopus is not cooked long enough. If it’s not cooked for long enough, bacteria will be present in the food that will cause you to get sick with food poisoning.
Tips to cook calamari properly
If you want to cook squid or octopus at home, follow these tips so you can get rid of the bacteria in your food:
Clean everything
Wash all surfaces and utensils thoroughly before cooking. This will ensure that there is no bacteria present when you begin the preparation of your meal.
Cooked long enough
Cooking for long doesn’t mean cooking at high temperatures. This way, you will end up burning it. Cook on low-medium flame and make sure it gets a golden-brown color. Check if its flesh is firm and opaque and it should be ready to eat.
Boil it first
Boiling calamari water and then frying it can reduce the risk of food poisoning. So, boil it well for 30 to 40 minutes
Slow braise it
Into the braising pan, put the calamari along with onion, garlic, bay leaf, and pepper. Pour tomato sauce over it and cook it on low heat for at least 30 minutes.
Rinse in saltwater
After boiling the calamari, rinse it in saltwater. Rinsing it in salt water will help kill the bacteria that might be present
Avoid cross-contamination
When storing cooked calamari, make sure you do not let uncooked pieces of calamari come into contact with the cooked ones. This is because they can contaminate each other if they are placed together.
How do you tell if fried calamari is undercooked?
It’s time to answer this question. When you’re not sure if your friend calamari is undercooked, it’s best to simply avoid it altogether. If you are unsure about the type of restaurant or establishment you are in when eating fried calamari, chances are it has been sitting out for a while.
Well, coming back to the question. You can check whether the calamari is undercooked or not by touching it. It should feel smooth and firm, not slimy or squishy.
If the squid feels rubbery, you know that it is undercooked. If you lightly cook it, it should start to curl up. If you are planning on cooking squid or octopus at home, try boiling them first and then frying them to be certain that they will not make you sick.
It takes 40 minutes to cook calamari properly.
How long can cooked calamari sit out?
If calamari has been cooked properly and is stored at room temperature, there is no reason why it should spoil. At room temperature, It can sit out until the next day to be prepared later or eaten cold. But if it is refrigerated, it’ll remain pretty fresh for three days.
However, if you don’t plan on eating it the next day, make sure you put it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge.
Tips to refrigerate calamari
– If calamari has not been cooked, you should not leave it at room temperature for very long. Refrigerate it as soon as possible.
– If calamari has been cooked, it should be returned to the fridge within two hours after eating or serving.
– To defrost calamari, leave it for half and our at room temperature. If calamari is placed on a hot platter or in aluminum foil, it will not cool down fast enough and bacteria may grow.
– If you plan on eating calamari that’s still frozen, make sure you thaw it in the refrigerator. But if your calamari is not fully defrosted, don’t worry. Just place it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until it is fully defrosted
Conclusion
Getting food poisoning from fried calamari might be possible if you do not follow any of the tips listed above. It is very important that you clean your hands and surfaces before and after cooking and make sure that the food you are serving is thoroughly cooked.
So now, you know how to avoid getting sick by making sure your calamari is cooked properly, kept at room temperature for less than 2 hours, and refrigerated properly if it sits out longer.
