Anisakidae larval infection in fish fillets sold in Belgium

Fish fillets (n = 1760) sold on the Belgium market were examined for Anisakidae larval infection. Seven sea fish species were examined by means of the candling technique over a period of 4 months, from November 1996 to February 1997. Third-stage larvae of Anisakis simplex and Pseudoterranova decipiens were identified. A. simplex was the most abundant species with a prevalence of 84.5%, and was found in 192 of the examined fillets (10.9%). Pollock (Pollachius pollachius) was the most heavily infected fish species (82.9%). The prevalence in cod (Gadus morhua), saithe (Pollachius virens), and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) was 34.7%, 26.7%, and 15.4% respectively. The prevalence in the three other fish species examined was low, namely 8.9%, 6.6%, and 3.8% for ling (Molva molva), catfish (Anarchias lupus), and Northeast red fish (Sebastes marinus), respectively. Pollock was the fish species with the largest number of Anisakis larvae (7.8 larvae/kg fish fillet).