If You Spot This Seafood Buffet Red Flag, Get Out Fast - Tasting Table

Seafood buffets require extra health and safety attention because seafood can carry many foodborne illnesses. Proper handling, preparation, and cooking can prevent most problems, but unsafe practices can still put diners at risk. Even highly rated restaurants are not guaranteed to avoid food poisoning. A key warning sign is visible cross-contamination, where bacteria from one food item transfers to another. This often happens when raw and cooked foods are handled, stored, or displayed together. Cross-contamination is especially important to watch for at seafood buffets, and visible evidence such as raw fish with cooked fish or vice versa using shared utensils indicates improper techniques and warrants leaving immediately.

"“If you see visible cross contamination (i.e., raw fish with cooked fish and vice versa with shared utensils), I would leave right away because those are clear indications of improper food safety techniques,” says Dr. Ali."

"“Essentially, cross-contamination is when bacteria from one food item is transferred to another, and in a kitchen or food prep area, it commonly comes down to how raw food is handled alongside cooked food.”"

"“In a seafood buffet, this can happen if both raw and hot dishes are handled, stored, or displayed together.”"

"“While dining somewhere well regarded and highly rated can help, it's not a foolproof way to avoid food poisoning. Unfortunately, even the fanciest of seafood buffets can suffer from a common red flag: visible cross contamination.”"

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