Sam's salmon is not suitable for raw consumption, sparking heated discussion. Sam's responds: heating is recommended; if it meets standards, it can be eaten raw.

Ask AI · What impact do the differences between GB 2733 and raw-food eating standards have on food safety?

Recently, Norwegian-imported salmon sold at Sam’s Club has drawn attention. Its packaging label says “must be heated and cooked before eating,” yet many consumers have treated it as sashimi-grade raw consumption. The related topic “Sam’s Club salmon should not be eaten raw” quickly surged to the top of the trending searches, also triggering widespread online concern about food safety. Some consumers claim that the label font is too small and no prominent reminder is set, making it easy to overlook. Others also joked, “After eating it for years, I only just realized I’d been eating it wrong.”

A reporter, after searching in the Sam’s Club app, found that the product detail page of this salmon clearly labels the recommended eating method as “eat after heating and cooking.” The ingredient list shows it as “fresh chilled Atlantic salmon.” At the same time, it is labeled “for in-store purchase only.” In the product review section, as of now among more than 50,000 positive reviews, many consumers have posted photos of eating it directly raw. Some dip the salmon slices in soy sauce and mustard to eat, while others arrange it into a sashimi-like form. In many reviews, consumers also mention phrases such as “fresh and delicious,” “delicate texture,” and “melts in your mouth.”

On the evening of March 18, the reporter conducted an on-site visit to Sam’s Club in Jiangbei, Nanjing, and learned that this salmon is a best-selling product in the store. On site, it was visible that the salmon is priced at 104.4 yuan per 500 grams, and the price tag states “suitable for cooking methods such as pan-searing and grilling.” The product execution standard labeled on the back of the package is GB 2733. It is understood that the specialized hygiene standard for seafood products that can be eaten raw in China is GB 10136. Compared with GB 2733, the former has stricter control requirements for indicators such as bacterial counts and parasites. The reporter asked the store staff about this, and the other party said that although the product label recommends heating and cooking before eating, this salmon can be eaten raw directly and meets the relevant safety standards.

Intern reporter Ma Bin

Video Ma Bin

Proofreader Wang Fei