If you need to cook a single portion for a meal at a different time from the rest of the family, choose a plain fillet that is explicitly labelled as individually packed. The number of pieces in a pack alone doesn’t confirm this. If you alternate between meals for one and two people, compare the weight and how the pieces are separated too. For breaded fish, also check the fish content, ingredients and allergens.
If you eat alone at a different time from the rest of the family, look for a clear statement that the fillets are individually packed. This lets you take one out without having to break up a block. Findus lists this feature for some of its Alaska pollock and cod fillets.
Compare the number of pieces and the net weight, then check whether you can take out one or two portions without defrosting the rest. A pack containing several pieces isn’t necessarily made up of individual sachets.
If you don’t want to prepare the seasoning, breaded fish may suit your needs. Its composition is different from that of a plain fillet, though, so check the fish content, the coating ingredients and the allergens.
First decide whether you need to take just one piece out of the pack, then check how much you need for the meal and what the product contains. These criteria help you tell the difference between an individually packed fillet, a pack containing several pieces and breaded fish.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking out a single portion | Look for the words ‘individually packed’ and read the cooking instructions for the format you’ve chosen. | When I’m eating at a different time, I want to take out one fillet without touching the others; around 31% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Adjusting the quantity | Compare the number of pieces, the net weight and how they’re separated in the pack. | Depending on whether there’s one or two of us eating, I want to adjust the quantity without planning for leftovers; this is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Choosing what’s in the product | Check the species and ingredients. For breaded fish, also check the fish content and allergens. | If I’m choosing between a plain fillet and breaded fish, I want to know what each portion contains; around 25% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Using a large pack | Check how much you can take out without defrosting the other pieces. | If I’m planning several meals, I want to use the pack gradually rather than taking out too much fish at once; this is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
The number of fillets helps you plan meals, but it doesn’t tell you how they’re packed. You may not be able to take out a single piece easily.
For the exact format you’re considering, look for a clear statement that the pieces are in individual sachets or packaging.
The coating changes the product’s composition. Carrefour’s product listing for Findus breaded Alaska pollock, for example, includes wheat and egg in the coating.
Check the fish percentage, ingredients list and allergens for the product you’ve chosen.
A small bone may still be present, even when a fillet is described as boneless. This is especially important if you’re preparing a portion for a young child.
Check the pieces before serving and follow the cooking instructions on the pack.
A product featured in a temporary offer may not be available the next time you shop.
Check the offer dates and the product available at your store before planning your meals.
For some plain fillets, Findus states that they’re individually packed, making it easy to take out a single portion.
Auchan’s range lets you compare pack sizes for plain and breaded fish.
Carrefour product listings can help you check the number of fillets, ingredients and storage instructions for a specific product.
A 500 g pack of Ocean Sea frozen hake fillets is an example of a plain fish format to consider for your portion needs.
Golden Seafood Alaska pollock formats let you check whether a pack containing several pieces suits your meals.
This selection includes plain fillets, breaded fish and plain fish steaks. If you’re preparing a single portion, distinguish between the number of pieces stated on the pack and whether you can take one out without defrosting the rest.
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Worth considering if the number of portions you need varies from meal to meal. Check the pack to see whether you can take out one fillet without defrosting the others: individually frozen doesn’t necessarily mean individually packed.
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An option to compare if you prefer fish that’s already coated. Check the product’s ingredients and allergens, as well as whether you can take out one fillet without defrosting the others.
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This plain fish format may suit households planning several meals. Before choosing it for meals for one, check how many steaks are included and whether you can take each one out separately.
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A plain fillet to consider if you want to spread the pack across several meals. Check how the portions are separated before relying on taking them out one at a time, and inspect the pieces for any small bones before serving.
No. The number of pieces doesn’t necessarily tell you how they’re packed. Look for a clear statement such as ‘individually packed’ on the exact format; Findus lists this for some of its plain fillets.
It may suit you if you want fish that’s already coated, but its composition isn’t the same as a plain fillet. Carrefour’s listing for Findus breaded Alaska pollock states that it contains 80% fish and a coating that includes wheat and egg. Check the ingredients for the product you’re buying.
Keep breaks in the cold chain to a minimum and follow the storage instructions on the pack as soon as you get home. The DGCCRF points out that a rise in temperature speeds up microbial growth. Also follow the product instructions for defrosting and refreezing.
Yes. The species is one of the details to check, regardless of the portion format. Anses recommends eating a variety of species from different sources. If the meal is for someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or for a young child, consult the recommendations for that specific situation rather than relying only on its advice for the general population.