Is it Safe to Eat Bream Fish? A Comprehensive Guide

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming fish and seafood is generally healthy and recommended, and the same holds true for bream fish. However, as with any food source, proper selection, handling, and cooking are crucial to ensure safety and maximize the nutritional benefits of this popular seafood.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the safety of consuming bream fish, addressing common concerns regarding contaminants like mercury and industrial pollutants in both wild and farmed sources. It also outlines key safety precautions, from proper purchasing to preparation methods, ensuring you can enjoy this low-fat, high-protein seafood with confidence.

Key Points

Low Mercury: Bream fish is generally considered a low-mercury species, posing minimal risk from mercury contamination.
Wild vs. Farmed: Wild bream's safety depends on its water source, while farmed bream offers a more controlled, consistently safe environment.
Check Local Advisories: If eating wild bream, always consult local fish consumption advisories to check for potential chemical contaminants like PCBs in your area.
Cook Thoroughly: To eliminate potential parasites like Anisakis, cook bream to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Inspect Freshness: When buying, look for clear eyes, shiny skin, and a mild, fresh smell to ensure quality.
Store Properly: Refrigerate fresh bream immediately and avoid consuming if raw fish was left out at room temperature for extended periods.
Nutrient-Dense: Bream is a healthy choice, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Bream Fish: A Healthy and Nutritious Choice

Bream refers to a large family of fish (Sparidae) that includes both freshwater and saltwater species. A popular and versatile fish, bream is known for its mild, sweet flavor and moist, flaky texture. Nutritionally, it is an excellent source of lean protein, vitamins (particularly B12 and D), and essential minerals like iodine and phosphorus, supporting everything from heart health to immune function. It's a low-calorie option, making it a great addition to a balanced diet.

The Mercury Question: Is Bream a Low-Mercury Fish?

One of the most common safety concerns with seafood is mercury contamination. Larger, older predatory fish tend to accumulate higher levels of mercury over their lifespan, but bream is generally considered a low-mercury option. While some accumulation is possible, particularly in certain species or regions, the levels are typically well below established safety limits. For instance, a study in the Gulf of Thailand found that threadfin breams had mercury levels well within the safe range set by European and Thai health authorities.

Comparing Wild-Caught vs. Farmed Bream

Wild-Caught Bream

Potential Risks: Wild bream's safety depends heavily on the water quality of its environment. In some areas, industrial pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or pesticides can be a concern. For example, fish advisories have been issued for certain bream populations in specific polluted waterways, such as parts of the Mississippi Delta and the lower Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers in Australia, where consumption should be limited. Always check local advisories if consuming wild-caught fish from rivers or lakes.
Flavor and Texture: Many consider the flavor of wild bream to be superior, with a cleaner, more robust taste that reflects its natural diet.

Farmed Bream

Safety Control: The safety of farmed bream is typically well-controlled. Fish farms operate under strict regulations to ensure the quality of feed and water, which helps minimize exposure to contaminants. Many certifications, such as those from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), provide further assurance of safety and sustainable practices.
Potential Drawbacks: The nutritional profile of farmed fish can vary depending on the feed used. However, with controlled conditions, it’s often a very consistent and reliable source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, though the exact content might differ from wild fish.

Safe Handling and Preparation for All Bream

Regardless of its origin, proper handling and cooking are vital to prevent foodborne illness and parasitic infections, such as Anisakis.

Selection: When buying fresh bream, look for clear, non-cloudy eyes, and shiny, metallic skin. The fish should have a mild, fresh sea scent, not an overly fishy or rancid odor. If frozen, avoid packages with torn wrapping or signs of ice crystals.
Storage: Keep fresh bream refrigerated and cook it within a day of purchase. Raw bream, if intended for sushi or crudo, must be sushi-grade and handled with extreme care. Cooked seafood should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Cooking: Cook bream thoroughly to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). This kills any potential parasites or bacteria. A cooked fillet will be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Bream is versatile and can be baked, grilled, fried, or pan-seared.

Comparison Table: Wild-Caught vs. Farmed Bream


Feature	Wild-Caught Bream	Farmed Bream
Mercury Levels	Generally low, but depends on the specific species and water source.	Typically low due to controlled environments and regulated feed.
Other Contaminants	Potential risk of PCBs or pesticides if sourced from polluted waterways. Check local advisories.	Minimal risk due to controlled water quality and feed sources.
Parasite Risk	Can carry parasites like Anisakis; cooking is essential for safety.	Minimal risk with modern farming practices, but cooking is still recommended.
Flavor Profile	Often described as having a cleaner, more natural, and robust flavor.	Consistent and reliable, with a mild flavor profile.
Sustainability	Varies by species and fishing methods. Some fisheries are very sustainable, while others are not.	Often a highly sustainable option, especially with certified products (e.g., ASC).
Overall Safety	Safe to eat if sourced from clean waters and cooked properly. Check advisories.	Safe to eat when handled properly due to regulated environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bream fish is a healthy, delicious, and safe seafood choice, provided you follow appropriate sourcing and preparation guidelines. For most consumers, farmed bream offers a reliable, low-contaminant option with a consistent nutritional profile. If you choose wild-caught bream, it's wise to consult local fish consumption advisories, particularly if fishing in freshwater or urban waterways. By ensuring proper cooking and buying from reputable sources, you can confidently enjoy bream's nutritional benefits without compromising your health.

To learn more about safe seafood practices, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's page on Safe Selection and Handling of Fish and Shellfish.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, bream is typically a low-mercury fish. While larger, older predatory fish tend to have higher mercury levels, bream's position in the food chain generally results in lower accumulation, well within safety limits.

Wild-caught bream's safety depends on its natural habitat, with potential risks from local pollutants, while farmed bream is raised in controlled environments with regulated feed, minimizing contaminant exposure. Farmed bream is often considered a safer, more consistent choice.

When purchasing fresh bream, look for clear, bright eyes and metallic, shiny skin. The gills should be red and not slimy, and the fish should have a mild, oceanic smell rather than a strong 'fishy' odor.

Yes, like other wild-caught fish, bream can potentially carry parasites such as Anisakis. Thoroughly cooking the fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) is the most effective way to kill any parasites.

Eating raw bream is only safe if it is 'sushi-grade' and handled properly. This means it was commercially frozen to kill parasites and maintained in safe conditions. If not sushi-grade, raw consumption poses a risk of parasitic infection.

Bream is a highly nutritious fish, rich in protein, essential minerals like iodine and phosphorus, and vitamins such as B12 and D. These nutrients contribute to heart health, nerve function, and strong bones.

Yes, if you plan to eat wild bream, especially from rivers or lakes, it is crucial to check local fish consumption advisories. Certain industrial or urban waterways, like those mentioned in parts of Mississippi and Australia, have had warnings due to pollutant levels.