Anisakis Larvae in Atlantic Wild Fish: Food Safety Hazards Driven by Trendy Diets

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ABSTRACT Zoonotic parasites are an increasingly recognised challenge for seafood safety. Anisakid nematodes currently represent the most significant fish‐borne parasitic threat in Atlantic wild fisheries. Recent regional surveys and global syntheses suggest significant increases in the prevalence and intensity of anisakid infections across multiple commercially important fish species, raising concerns for public health, marketability and consumer confidence. At the same time, the growing popularity of raw and lightly processed seafood has increased human exposure to anisakids, potentially amplifying infection risk independently of ecological changes in parasite abundance. Here, we synthesise current knowledge on anisakid parasitism in Atlantic fish and critically examine the interacting mechanisms that may be driving these trends. We highlight the roles of climate‐driven ecosystem change, recovery and redistribution of marine mammal definitive hosts, shifts in fish host ecology, evolving fishing and post‐capture handling practices, changing seafood consumption patterns, and major advances in parasite detection and diagnostics. While improved surveillance has undoubtedly increased reporting, converging evidence suggests that changes in host–parasite dynamics are also occurring. We further discuss practical mitigation options across the seafood value chain, from onboard handling and processing to retail, food service and consumer awareness, emphasising the need for coordinated, risk‐based approaches. Collectively, these developments challenge the long‐standing perception of wild fish, especially when consumed raw or lightly processed, as inherently safe, underscoring the importance of integrating ecological insight, consumer behaviour, technological innovation and public‐health guidance to ensure sustainable fisheries and safe seafood consumption.

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