Seafood is an incredibly healthy option that contains protein, vitamins and minerals in abundance. While many consumers may fear frozen seafood due to the heavy breading seen on frozen fish sticks found in freezer aisles, properly frozen seafood is just as beneficial for health as fresh options.
Flash frozen seafood ensures it remains at peak freshness for maximum taste without experiencing price fluctuations associated with fresh products. Furthermore, frozen seafood offers year-round supplies, as we see with fresh products, without price fluctuation.
1. Freshness
Seafood often sold at grocery stores is labelled “fresh” despite being frozen before being thawed out and sold as fresh. Fresh seafood also must be stored under refrigeration to avoid spoilage, leading to further challenges with supply chains and spoilage risks.
Seafood producers can ensure quality and reduce contamination by quickly freezing their products after harvest. This technique locks in nutrients and flavour for consistent, top-grade seafood products.
Responsibly-sourced frozen seafood can provide a convenient and sustainable option to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’4 recommendation of eating 8oz of seafood weekly. As consumers increasingly look for tasty options that combine taste, convenience and sustainability in their freezer options, more consumers are opting for responsibly-sourced options from freezer bins.
When purchasing frozen seafood, look for products that have been individually wrapped and sealed in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed. It allows consumers to access just the amount needed for meals without storing leftovers in their fridge, as is common when purchasing refrigerated fish. Also, verify the date on each package, as any expired fish products will emit an unpleasant odour that should prompt immediate disposal.
2. Convenience
Frozen seafood can be stored at temperatures that prevent bacterial growth and extend its shelf life significantly, giving consumers access to quality seafood products they can quickly thaw out and enjoy at their leisure – helping reduce waste and save money in an age where food waste is increasingly concerning. Frozen seafood also benefits the environment by being shipped via ship, rail or truck with a lower carbon footprint than fresh fish deliveries.
Frozen seafood provides fishermen with a means of selling their product over an extended period, which is especially advantageous in small, out-of-the-way ports where one buyer may not be available. Furthermore, consumers can now enjoy seasonal species like salmon or trout all year long thanks to frozen seafood’s year-round availability.
3. Health
Seafood is an integral component of a balanced diet, and it’s recommended that we consume at least two servings weekly from responsibly sourced frozen seafood. Doing so allows us to take advantage of omega-3s, healthy fats and proteins in this nutritious option.
Frozen seafood can often be more nutritious than fresh, as it is frozen shortly after being caught, thus preventing nutrient loss and the development of harmful bacteria. Frozen seafood also contributes to less environmental waste since fresh fish must be shipped rapidly to stores for sale – inefficiencies leading to unassigned products becoming waste, contributing up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions!
Frozen seafood can be more environmentally sustainable as it reduces waste while enabling fishermen to focus their fishing in optimal conditions. Furthermore, freezing acts as a natural preservation method that does not rely on chemical preservatives; chefs who may otherwise struggle with finding enough fresh seafood during pandemics have access to reliable supplies of high-quality, nutritionally dense fish in their freezer.
4. Value
Frozen seafood products are stored at low temperatures to extend their shelf life by inhibiting microorganism growth, thus helping reduce waste throughout their supply chains – from harvest to packaging, retail sale and consumer consumption. Furthermore, frozen seafood offers nutritional value comparable to red meat – driving global market expansion due to continued advances in cold chain transportation systems and consumer adoption of seafood as a substitute.
Transparency Market Research (TMR) recently published a report showing the global frozen seafood market was worth US$ 36 Bn in 2020, driven by rising consumer interest in healthier options during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, demand has also benefited from pro-health consumer preference for wild-caught seafood over fresh. Unfortunately, however, consumer resistance due to the perception that frozen fish is less fresh has presented challenges to this industry; to overcome them, they have begun improving supply chains and expanding online sales channels to overcome these hurdles.