| Whether purchasing fish for a celebration of sorts or | | | | Here's a key element when purchasing fish: |
| just for the love of fish, getting it right the first time | | | | Ideally you will ask the supermarket attendant or clerk |
| before sitting down and enjoying the great tastes fish | | | | as to when exactly a fresh or previously frozen item |
| has to offer is critical and can save you a lot of lost | | | | was placed on display. Whilst they may not tell you the |
| money, time, heartache and can even prevent potential | | | | exact truth for whatever reason, it's still important to |
| health issues. So where are we best to buy from? | | | | find out the real facts. |
| There are markets that only specialize in seafood | | | | If you're a recognized customer of a particular |
| sales and you can usually be assured of the highest | | | | supermarket, then you may be in a better position by |
| quality with them carrying premium seafood product | | | | having a stronger relationship with the attendant or |
| as they only have seafood to rely on for keeping their | | | | clerk going out of their way to help you out with the |
| business in business. | | | | freshest choice. |
| If you live in an area that only allows you to purchase | | | | At the fish counter you are likely to be looking at |
| your fish within a supermarket, well don't despair, they | | | | whole fish, fish fillets, steaks and cutlets. Be wary of |
| have standards to hold up to by government | | | | any whole fish that have been covered in ice with just |
| regulations. Having said that, there are still some things | | | | the heads sticking out; this is an old trick that has been |
| for you to consider before purchasing - many | | | | used by various shops for years to hide or disguise |
| supermarkets offer both fresh and frozen seafood. | | | | older product. |
| If the fish for instance is being displayed in a fresh, not | | | | You should be in this case, asking the attendant to |
| frozen condition, it doesn't automatically mean that it's | | | | remove the fish from the ice for a better overall |
| truly 'fresh'. These supermarkets are supposed to be | | | | inspection. |
| labelling any particular seafood item as previously | | | | In some countries or regions the printed labels that are |
| frozen in most countries by law even if it has just | | | | attached to the fish display should be stating if the fish |
| been thawed out for their showcase or display. | | | | has been repackaged and there will be a tiny 'r' |
| Unless you have caught the fish yourself, there's a | | | | appearing near the date somewhere. These should be |
| good chance you really don't know how fresh that fish | | | | avoided, as you are being informed in a very subtle |
| is that you are looking at. | | | | way that the product is not fresh as could be. |