Is Fresh Fish Ever Frozen? Understanding Seafood Labels
⏱️ 3–4 minute read
When shopping online or in-store, you’ve probably noticed terms like “fresh,” “frozen,” “previously frozen,” or even “freshly frozen” on seafood labels — but what do they really mean? And can you truly taste the difference?
There’s a growing debate in the seafood world about whether frozen fish — especially fish that’s been “freshly frozen” at sea — can rival fresh. While freezing has its place in global supply chains, especially for imported products, it’s important to understand what’s behind the label and how it affects quality.
What Does “Previously Frozen” Actually Mean?
“Previously frozen” fish has been frozen at some point after being caught, then defrosted before reaching you. It’s often marketed as fresh — but it's not. The texture can be noticeably different, and some nutrients may degrade slightly during the freeze-thaw cycle.
Some online retailers will quietly ship defrosted fish when fresh isn’t available — often without clearly stating it. At Hamiltons Fish, we believe that’s not good enough.
Our Promise: Never Previously Frozen
Every piece of fish we source from Brixham Fish Market is genuinely fresh. It’s bought to order — filleted, packed, and delivered in peak condition. If it’s not fresh, it’s not going in our boxes.
We never sell previously frozen fish as fresh, and we never substitute frozen products when something is out of stock. Instead, we’ll let you know and recommend a fresh alternative or offer to delay your delivery date.
Can Frozen Fish Ever Be “Fresher”?
Some articles and retailers suggest that frozen fish is often “fresher than fresh.” This is usually based on fish that’s been frozen within hours of being caught — a common practice for imported seafood that travels long distances.
But when you're sourcing from the Brixham day boats, like we do, that argument falls apart. We collect fresh fish from the market every morning and prepare it to order — no delay, no freezing, no compromise. It doesn’t get fresher than that.
Fresh and Freezable — The Best of Both
Our fish is always delivered fresh, never previously frozen — but it's also suitable for freezing at home. This gives you flexibility while keeping full control over quality.
In fact, many of our customers freeze portions themselves and still enjoy exceptional flavour and texture weeks later. Just be sure to freeze on the day of delivery and follow the label guidance.
Why It Matters
With seafood, quality depends on freshness. That’s why we do things differently:
- No frozen substitutes: If it’s not available fresh, we won’t send it.
- No hidden freezing: What you see is what you get — always.
- Full transparency: Our labels and product descriptions make everything clear.
If you’ve ever been disappointed by “fresh” fish that felt watery or rubbery, chances are it was defrosted. Try our fish — and taste the difference freshness makes.
Want to explore what truly fresh seafood tastes like? Browse our fresh fish selection — all sourced to order and never previously frozen.
