Fishmonger Mercadona there will be an important change in this 2025 in all of its establishments. Those in charge of a supermarket chain in Valencia noticed that not everyone is willing to stand in line to order fish. For this reason, they decided to make it easier for consumers by already packing the fish in trays. clean and laminated. So a fishmonger is like a supermarket butcher nowadays. This is all very well, but there are some considerations to keep in mind when purchasing fish. The fact that it is ready to eat does not make it any less vulnerable.
Trays at the Mercadona fish store will have labels indicating, among other information, whether the fish is defrosted fish. Otherwise, you can assume it is fresh. This is important because it tells us what we should do with the product at home.
Although this method of action depends not only on the labeling. It is also important to consider type of fish and how we are going to eat it. This tells us whether we should freeze it or whether we can consume it directly. In each case, again, different considerations must be taken into account. Let’s look at the most important ones.
Labels in the Mercadona fish store
If the label on the tray indicates that the fish is defrosted, then we have already defrosted it. We can’t freeze it. It will need to be eaten as soon as possible. In fact, it is recommended that defrosted fish be eaten or at least cooked within a period 24 hours. If it is fresh, it can be stored for a couple of days, and sometimes three, but the sooner the better.
Thawed fish should not be re-frozen because increases the risk of food poisoning. In fact, this happens not only with fish. When we freeze food, we temporarily stop the growth of microorganisms. This means that they don’t disappearbut they remain there dormant until the temperature rises again. Therefore, after thawing, bacteria and other potentially pathogenic agents will begin to multiply. If we freeze it again, it will contain more microorganisms, which by the time it is defrosted will reach dangerous levels fast. This is why it is so important to look at the label at the Mercadona fish store. If the fish is defrosted, it should be eaten as soon as possible.
What if it’s fresh?
If the fish is fresh, it can be stored in our refrigerator for several days, although the sooner we eat it, the better. We may have bought it with the intention of freezing it. In that case, we shouldn’t wait. It’s true that he usually holds up two days in the refrigeratorbut if we freeze it immediately after two days, when we defrost it, there will be more microorganisms ready to multiply. On the other hand, if we freeze it immediately, the amount will be much less.
In any case, we must also keep in mind that there is fish that we will have to freeze at all costs. If the intention is to eat the fish raw or very rare, it’s important to freeze it. Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) recommends doing this during minimum 5 days to minimize the risk of eating parasites such as Anisakis.
True, the sale of fish on which Anisakis is visible is prohibited. But just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Typically, if fish is supposed to be consumed raw, it is sold frozen or freshly thawed. However, we may be the ones who decide to use the product in this way, so we will have to worry about handle it properly.
Don’t freeze it forever
In fact, all these tips are independent of changes in the Mercadona fish store. If the fish is currently being cut, we must also be careful when consuming it. Simply put, with selling in containers everything seems to be simpler and we can forget about the most important things.
Something else we need to take into account is the best way to freeze fish. Mercadona notes that this can be done directly in the trays in which it is sold, but it will keep better if wrapped in film or placed in freezer bags. In addition, this way you can freeze exact portions what we are going to consume to avoid waste.
Once this is done, we must take into account that fish, like other foods, can’t freeze forever. If it is a fatty fish, such as salmon or mackerel, it is recommended to consume it within 2-3 months after freezing. For white fish such as cod or flounder this may be 6-8 months, although there are more delicate white fish such as perch or sea trout that should be consumed sooner. Preferably after 4 months.
And how do we defrost it?
All we need to do is know how to defrost fish. Like any other food, should never be defrosted at room temperature. This is due to the fact that as soon as it is minimally thawed, microorganisms can begin to multiply. If the temperature around them is not cold enough, they can grow too large and cause disease. food poisoning. Therefore, ideally, defrost the fish. in the refrigerator.
To do this we need to take it out of the freezer. from 12 to 24 hours before its consumption. An alternative is to use hot water or a microwave for quick defrosting. The problem with this is that it may be half-cooked when defrosting, so the end result won’t be as good.
Has your Mercadona fish store changed yet?
These changes began to be tested at the Mercadona fish shop in 2024. The test was carried out in some establishments and, seeing that the consumption of fish by customers had increased, it was decided to implement it in all establishments. throughout 2025. So if the trays aren’t ready yet at a Mercadona near you, it’s only a matter of time. When the time comes, remember these tips. Moreover, now apply them to any food.
Source: Hiper Textual
