Anyone stocking up the freezer
If you’re happy to prepare whole fish, Auchan France lists a 1 kg pack of GELUS frozen sardines, which should be kept at -18 °C. Check that the pack size will fit in the space you have available.
Who are these options for?
Families who prefer ready-prepared fillets
For a back-to-school meal without having to prepare a whole fish, Saupiquet sardine fillets in spring water are another option. They come in 100 g tins, rather than as fillets to store in the freezer.
Anyone who wants to know where their fish comes from
If the species and origin matter to you, check the information provided for the product. For unprocessed fishery products sold to the end consumer in France, the DGCCRF specifies what information must be provided, including the scientific name, production method, fishing area and whether the fish has been defrosted.
What to consider when choosing
Whole frozen sardines
Worth considering : if you want to stock up the freezer and are happy to prepare whole fish for your meals.
Bear in mind : the 1 kg GELUS product described by Auchan France isn’t made up of ready-to-use fillets.
Tinned sardine fillets
Worth considering : if having ready-prepared fillets matters more to you than storing them in the freezer.
Bear in mind : this isn’t frozen fish. Saupiquet says its sardine fillets in spring water should be refrigerated after opening and eaten within two days.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cut and preparation | Look for the words “whole” or “fillets”, then check whether the product is frozen, fresh or tinned. | When I’m preparing a quick meal, I want to know whether I’ll need to prepare a whole fish before cooking; around 36% of consumers put this question of how the fish is prepared first. |
| Cold chain | Check the storage temperature on the packaging and inspect the condition of the bag; GELUS specifies -18 °C. | If I’m transporting frozen sardines before putting them away, I want to keep them at the right temperature throughout the journey. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Stock size | Compare the net weight with the portions you have planned and the space available in your freezer. | I’m preparing several back-to-school meals, but a 1 kg bag needs to fit in my freezer and suit the quantities I use; around 21% of consumers prioritise this pack-size requirement. |
| Traceability | For an unprocessed fishery product, check details including the scientific name, fishing area and whether it has been defrosted. | Before choosing between two products labelled sardines, I want to identify the fish and where it comes from; this is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Mistaking whole frozen sardines for fillets
The GELUS and GELNIC products described by Auchan France are labelled as whole. They need to be prepared differently from fillets.
If you’re looking for fillets, check that this cut is clearly stated on the product page and packaging before you buy.
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Relying on cooking or freezing after the cold chain has been broken
Anses lists sardines among the fish that can pose a risk of histamine and explains that histamine is not destroyed by either cooking or freezing.
Keep the cold chain intact while transporting the product, put it away promptly and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging.
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Comparing pack sizes without considering storage
A tin of fillets and a bag of whole frozen sardines need different storage and preparation.
First compare the form of the fish, the net weight and the storage instructions against the meals you have planned.
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Choosing based on the word “sardines” alone
For unprocessed fishery products sold to the end consumer in France, the DGCCRF explains that the commercial name alone isn’t enough to tell you the species and where it comes from.
Also check the traceability information on the label or product page, including the scientific name, production method and fishing area.
Brands and products to consider
GELUS
A whole frozen sardine product for anyone happy to prepare the fish themselves.
- Auchan France’s product page lists Sardina pilchardus, a net weight of 1 kg and storage at -18 °C.
- The “whole” label means these aren’t ready-to-cook fillets.
GELNIC
Another product of whole raw sardines featured in Auchan France’s frozen food range.
- The product page lists a 1 kg pack.
- As the fish are whole, this won’t suit anyone looking for ready-prepared fillets; check the packaging for product-specific storage instructions.
Saupiquet
Tinned sardine fillets to consider if freezer storage isn’t a requirement.
- Saupiquet’s 100 g fillets in spring water contain Sardina pilchardus fillets, water and salt.
- This product isn’t frozen. Saupiquet says to refrigerate it after opening and eat it within two days.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether frozen sardines are sold as fillets?
Check that the product page or packaging says “fillets”. The GELUS and GELNIC products described by Auchan France are labelled “whole”, so they need to be prepared differently.
What traceability information should I check for frozen sardines?
For unprocessed fishery products sold to the end consumer in France, the DGCCRF specifies that the information provided includes the scientific name, production method, fishing area and whether the fish has been defrosted. Check the label of the product you choose for these details.
Why is it important to keep sardines cold?
Keeping sardines cold is important, particularly because Anses lists them among the fish that can pose a risk of histamine, which is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Follow the storage instructions and temperature shown on the packaging.
Can I freeze fresh sardines for back-to-school meals?
If you plan to freeze them, follow the product instructions and don’t wait until the use-by date. The Ministry of the Economy states that a product must not be frozen once its use-by date has been reached or passed.
Can Saupiquet tinned sardine fillets go in the freezer?
No. The Saupiquet sardine fillets in spring water featured here are tinned, not frozen. Saupiquet says to store the product in a cool, dry place before opening, then refrigerate it and eat it within two days of opening.