Anchovies??

[ThePartyArtist]

Bought white anchovies from deli counter in Tesco, then read that cooked anchovies are fine in pregnancy but uncooked aren't. Does anyone know if these are cooked or not? They are in oil, not in a jar but were from the deli counter in a little pot.

Thanks!

[Fizzyjo]

I've been eating tinned anchovies in olive oil and when I googled I didn't see specification as to cooked or not! I presume all uncooked fish is risky and I would have thought if from the fish counter they are raw. My tinned ones are a dark brown colour.

[LuckySantangelo1]

They are cooked, & very healthy for you in pregnancy.

[Fizzyjo]

Sorry just re read deli counter not fish counter so I would have thought they were cooked and ready to eat!

[ThePartyArtist]

They are sold as ready to eat... I am craving salty marinated things a bit, so loving them!

[Kione]

Sorry but the "white" anchovies are cured, not cooked. They "cook" in vinegar or citric acid so they never reach high temperature that kill the anisakis bugs". Now, if the fish has been frozen before being cured (as they should do at restaurants) the anisakis will die too.
As a spanish person that is surrounded by raw cured stuff I know all this and I avoid eating cured anchovies.

[ThePartyArtist]

Argh that's so disappointing. Are the ones in jars any better?

[Kione]

They are all cured raw fish, but to be honest I do not know how long a bug can live in the fish that has been cured and then covered in oil, etc.
If it says on the tin or jar "suitable for freezing" I'd just buy it and freeze it at home for a good 48 hours. It might say it has been already frozen in which case its good to eat!
I am sure shops and restaurants are very careful with this, and I didn't want to freak people out, just clarify that it is still raw fish.