Packed prawns – shelf life of seafood
Healthy eating is really popular right now. This means that fresh fish and seafood are on the menu. In this article, you will find out about the shelf life and storage of fish and packaged shrimps. Read on to find out how to enjoy your favourite seafood for as long as possible.
The key points
- Fridge: packaged prawns can be stored at –2 °C to 0 °C for up to three days.
- Freezer: frozen seafood remains edible for up to three months.
- Storage: special cooling technologies such as BioFresh-Plus create ideal conditions for fish and shrimps.
- Packaging: unopened goods keep longer – once opened, shrimps should be consumed without delay.
Shrimps: shelf life – list of contents
Shelf life of packaged shrimps and other seafood
Do you also enjoy fresh fish and other seafood such as mussels and shrimps? Then you have probably often thought about the shelf life of packaged shrimps and mussels and asked yourself how best to store this type of seafood. The renowned Max Rubner-Institut (Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food) has examined different fish species in terms of total bacterial count, fish-specific spoilage bacteria, fat content, protein content, texture, pH value and water binding capacity.
The findings of this study show that when the storage temperature is lowered from just over 0 degrees to (–2 degrees Celsius, the storage life increases by more than 50 percent. Even so, you should consume any seafood stored in the fridge within one to three days.
Fish and other culinary delights from the sea will last much longer when stored in your chest freezer. Frozen seafood can be stored for two to three months, depending on the type, without any significant loss of quality. What is important is that you ensure that the cold chain remains unbroken. When freezing at home, make sure the packaging is airtight to avoid freezer burn. This means that packaged shrimps are particularly suitable for freezing to extend their shelf life. This also applies to cooked shrimps. These should have cooled down completely before being put in the freezer. Once defrosted, seafood should not be refrozen.
Storing fresh fish, mussels, and prawns correctly
The right storage conditions are crucial to achieving a long shelf life for seafood such as packaged shrimps. Always store fresh fish and shrimps in the coldest part of your fridge, usually directly above the vegetable compartment or against the back wall. It is best to place seafood in a shallow dish, cover it with cling film and store it on ice. This keeps the temperature constantly low. However, make sure that you pour off the melt water regularly. Packaged goods, such as packaged shrimps, should remain unopened until they are processed to ensure a longer shelf life. Once opened, they should be consumed within a day. Always cook your seafood thoroughly. If you have any doubt about the shelf life or freshness of packaged shrimps, it is best to dispose of them.
Special cooling technologies, such as Liebherr’s BioFresh Fish & Seafood safe, can extend the shelf life of fish and seafood below 0 °C by up to three days.
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