Grade Of Fish (For Sushi Or Sashimi): This is a marketing term referring to top quality, fresh fish; you need to ask if it has been frozen for parasite control (more about that in a moment). There is no official FDA Standard of Identity for a “sushi grade” or “sashimi grade” of fish. The FDA does, however, have guidelines for the handling of raw or undercooked fish, including sushi and sashimi as well as ceviche, cold-smoked fish, drunken crabs, green herring, herring roe, lomi lomi, poisson cru and cooked dishes that are served with raw interiors. It suggests that food handlers ensure the destruction of microscopic parasites that can cause gastrointestinal infection by freezing the seafood (there are options, e.g. at -4°F (-20°C) or below for 7 days, at -31°F (-35°C) or below for 15 hours, or at -31°F (-35°C) or below for 24 hours. You can read the details here. The irony is, most people think that “sushi grade” fish is the absolute freshest fish. But it isn’t, because to protect the consumer from parasites, much of it has been frozen. Some fish—mackerel and salmon, for example—are known to harbor higher levels of parasites than others, but these days almost all fish served raw are frozen first.
I would directly speak to the preparer about the above standards.
Source(s):
Nibble Magazine. They have a website and info online specifically about Sushi

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