If you want to spread meals out over time, choose frozen fillets in a species, weight and pack size that suit your freezer. Save fresh fillets for meals you’ll be having soon: the Anses advises eating fresh fish on the day you buy it if possible, or within 48 hours, and keeping it between 0 and 4 °C. In either case, make sure you can transport and store it properly to maintain the cold chain.
If you’re buying fish for several meals, compare the number and weight of the fillets, and check whether you can take out one portion without defrosting the rest. Findus, for example, describes individually wrapped fillets, while Auchan and E.Leclerc also offer 800 g and 1 kg packs, depending on the product.
Fresh fillets are a good choice if you’re planning to cook them soon, provided you can keep them between 0 and 4 °C. The Anses advises eating fresh fish on the day you buy it if possible, or within 48 hours, so it’s not the same kind of purchase as stocking up on frozen fish.
The species, stated origin and any warnings about bones can help you decide, especially if you’re serving the fish to young children. The Anses also publishes specific advice for vulnerable groups, so check what applies to your household and the fish you’re considering.
Choose these: if you want to spread your purchase across several meals and have enough freezer space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transport them appropriately and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Choose these: for a meal you’re planning soon, if you can store them between 0 and 4 °C.
Bear in mind: buy an amount you can eat on the day of purchase if possible, or within 48 hours, as advised by the Anses.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for stocking up | Compare the total weight, number of fillets and packaging with the space available in your freezer. | When I’m cooking as needed, I want to be able to take out one fillet without defrosting everything I’ve bought. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Product type and quantity | Read the product name and ingredients, then compare the net weight with the number of meals you’re planning: a plain fillet and a breaded product aren’t suitable for the same uses. | If I’m planning several recipes, I look for plain fish in an amount I’ll actually use. For around 27 % of consumers, finding a product that suits their meals is the top priority. |
| Species and bones | Check the species, stated origin and any warnings about bones on the product you choose. | Before serving fish to my household, I want to know which species I’m buying and keep an eye out for bones. This is the main concern for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Time until cooking | For fresh fish, plan to store it between 0 and 4 °C and eat it on the same day if possible, or within 48 hours, as advised by the Anses. For frozen fish, follow the pack instructions from the moment you transport it. | I’m planning a meal soon, so I want to choose between fresh and frozen depending on how long I can store the fish before cooking it. This is the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
Plain fillets, breaded fish and ready-prepared recipes can have different ingredients and uses. For example, an E.Leclerc listing describes pre-fried sole fillets in a meunière style: the product name matters just as much as the species.
If you’re looking for an ingredient you can cook your own way, check the product name and ingredients list before you choose.
The Anses advises eating fresh fish on the day you buy it if possible, or within 48 hours, and keeping it between 0 and 4 °C.
Save fresh fish for meals you’re having soon and choose an amount that fits the meals you’ve already planned. For meals further apart, consider frozen options instead.
Buying more fresh fish than you have meals planned for can lead to waste.
An E.Leclerc listing for Pêche Océan cod says that a few bones may occasionally remain, despite care being taken to remove them.
Read the product-specific warning and check the fish when serving it, especially if children are at the table.
A long journey without the right precautions can compromise the cold chain. The DGCCRF advises picking up frozen products at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag if possible.
Leave the frozen-food aisle until last, then put the fillets away as soon as you get home, following the storage instructions on the pack.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing species and pack sizes, but always check the exact product before deciding.
Findus offers a range of plain frozen fillets, including cod, Pacific pink salmon and Alaska pollock.
Carrefour’s range of plain frozen fish includes Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Extra products, with several types of fillet.
Auchan’s frozen range includes fillets and fish loins from different brands, in pack sizes including 800 g and 1 kg.
E.Leclerc offers Pêche Océan cod fillets in 800 g packs, as well as 1 kg packs of Alaska pollock portions.
These frozen fillets let you compare species and pack sizes for meals spread out over time. The number of pieces listed on a pack doesn’t, on its own, guarantee that each fillet is individually wrapped.
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Worth considering if you want to spread salmon fillets across several meals: the product description lists four individually frozen portions, weighing 400 g in total.
Follow the cooking instructions and do not refreeze the product once defrosted.
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The 1 kg pack could suit you if you’re planning several pangasius meals. The product description lists fillets weighing 170 to 220 g each; check the number of pieces and how they’re packaged if you plan to take them out individually.
The instructions say to defrost in the fridge, eat within 24 hours of opening and not refreeze.
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This pack contains four skinless salmon fillets, weighing 500 g in total, so you can plan your portions before buying. If you want to take out one fillet at a time, check whether the pieces are individually wrapped.
The product description says to store at −18 °C or below and to cook thoroughly.
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The four Pacific pink salmon fillets weigh 500 g in total. If you’re planning separate meals, check how the fillets are packaged on the pack.
The product description says to defrost in the fridge, cook thoroughly and not refreeze once defrosted.
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If you’re considering this pack for your freezer, first check the species, total weight and number of pieces on the packaging before planning your portions: the information listed for this product varies on these points.
Also check the defrosting and cooking instructions on the pack you receive.
Choose frozen fillets if you plan to spread your meals out over time, and fresh fish if you’ll be cooking it soon. For fresh fish, the Anses advises eating it on the day you buy it if possible, or within 48 hours, and keeping it between 0 and 4 °C.
Pick them up last and use an insulated bag if possible, as recommended by the DGCCRF. Put them away as soon as you get home and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Yes, depending on the product-specific warning. E.Leclerc notes on a Pêche Océan cod listing that a few bones may occasionally remain; read the wording on the pack and check the pieces before serving.
Start with the product name, ingredients, weight and species, as well as any origin or fishing-area information on the label. Check the storage instructions too, and how the fillets are packaged if you want to take them out individually.
Yes: the Anses has specific advice for vulnerable groups, including recommendations about certain predatory fish and raw or undercooked fish. Check the guidance that applies to the group concerned and identify the species before stocking up.