What Is the Black Vein in Shrimp, and Should You Remove It?
If you have ever peeled a shrimp, you have probably noticed the thin dark line running along its back. Most people call it the vein, and many wonder…
Is It Safe to Eat
For most people, eating the vein is not dangerous, as long as the shrimp is properly cooked. Thorough cooking kills any bacteria that might be present, so a cooked shrimp with its tract intact is not going to make you ill.
The real objection is sensory rather than medical. Because the tract can hold sand and sediment, leaving it in can give the shrimp a gritty texture or a faintly bitter, muddy flavor. That is unpleasant in a delicate dish, but it is not harmful. In short, if you happen to eat shrimp that has not been deveined, there is no need to worry.