can you eat scallops raw

Yes, scallops can be eaten raw if they are of high quality and properly handled. Raw scallops are even considered a delicacy in dishes like sashimi, sushi, ceviche, and tartare because of their natural sweetness and tender texture. To safely eat raw scallops, it is important to ensure they are "sushi-grade" or "sashimi-grade," meaning they have been flash frozen to kill parasites, or that they are freshly caught (such as day-boat scallops) and properly stored on ice or frozen immediately after harvesting. Avoid scallops that are wet-packed (soaked in preservatives) or old, as these have lower quality and higher risk. Buying from reputable sources and ensuring cleanliness and freshness greatly reduces the risk of foodborne illness when consuming raw scallops.