If you sometimes cook for the whole family and sometimes for one, look for individually wrapped fillets or portions that you can take out separately. A large bag may also work, as long as you check how many pieces it contains and whether they can be separated. Breaded or prepared fish meets a different need and is not a like-for-like substitute for a plain fillet.
Sometimes you prepare a family meal, and sometimes just one plate. Individually wrapped fillets or a clearly stated number of pieces help you choose how much to cook. Check that you can take pieces out of the bag separately.
You want to split a pack across several meals. The total weight and number of pieces give you an idea of the pack size, but a large bag is only practical for a meal for one if you can take out the amount you need.
Breaded or prepared fish may suit the way you like to make dinner. Read the product name and ingredients: it is not the same as a plain fillet that you season yourself.
First decide whether you want plain fish or a breaded or prepared recipe. If you also want to make meals for one, check how the pieces are packed, not just the weight of the pack.
Choose these if: you often switch between family meals and a single portion, and want to season the fish yourself. Findus says that each fillet in its plain fillet range is individually wrapped.
Bear in mind: this packaging information alone does not tell you the weight of each fillet or whether it may contain bones.
Choose these if: you’re planning several meals and want to know how many pieces are included. The ranges listed by Auchan and E.Leclerc include packs of four to ten pieces.
Bear in mind: a stated number of pieces does not guarantee that you can take them out of the pack one at a time.
Choose this if: you’d prefer a ready-breaded or seasoned recipe rather than a plain fillet that you need to prepare.
Bear in mind: the recipe contains ingredients other than fish, so check its ingredients separately from those of a plain fillet.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions to take out | Whether the pack says the pieces are individually wrapped or can be separated, and then how many pieces there are. | When I sometimes cook for one, I want to take out the amount I need without defrosting the rest; around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Family-size pack | The total weight and number of pieces, considered alongside the meals you have planned. | When planning several family meals, I look for a pack with portions I can use up; around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Preparation | The type of recipe and the cooking instructions on the pack. | If I have little time to prepare dinner, I’d be more interested in a ready-breaded or prepared recipe; around 21% of consumers would prioritise this factor. |
| Product type | The species, the form of the fish, any information about bones, the ingredients and allergens. | When I need to tell the difference between a plain fillet and a prepared recipe, I want to know exactly what I’m buying; around 14% of consumers would put this first. |
The total weight doesn’t tell you whether you can take the pieces out separately or how much each one weighs.
Check the number of pieces, their weight if stated, and whether the pack says they are individually wrapped.
The ingredients vary depending on the recipe. For example, E.Leclerc states that the ECO+ breaded fish fingers listed on its product page contain 65% minced Alaska pollock.
Check the product name, ingredients list and the proportion of fish, if stated, for the product you’re considering.
Fish aisles include fillets, portions and prepared products, and their characteristics are not all the same.
Check the information about bones on the exact pack, as well as the species and form of the fish.
The French Ministry of the Economy warns that breaking the cold chain can make food unsafe to eat.
Pick up frozen food towards the end of your shop and follow the transport and storage instructions on the pack.
Findus offers a range of plain cod, salmon and Alaska pollock fillets, each of which the brand says is individually wrapped.
Carrefour’s range of prepared frozen fish includes recipes with pollock and salmon, in packs such as 300 g and 400 g.
Auchan offers frozen fish fillets, loins and portions, including products that state they contain four to eight pieces.
E.Leclerc lists ECO+ Alaska pollock fillet portions in a pack of ten pieces weighing 1 kg.
ALDI France lists a range of frozen fish products under this brand, including Alaska pollock fillets and breaded products.
This selection of Joybuy products includes plain and breaded fillets in multi-piece packs. If you’re also planning meals for one, the key thing is whether you can take out one piece without having to defrost the others.
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A pack of four fillets to consider if the number of people you’re cooking for varies. The product name gives the total weight as 400 g; check the packaging if you want to take out just one fillet.
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Hake fillet portions for making a plain fish recipe. The pack states 400 g; if you’re cooking for one, check how many pieces it contains and whether you can take them out separately.
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The four fillets listed make it easy to count out portions for several meals. The pack states a total weight of 500 g; check that you can take the fillets out separately if you’re only preparing one.
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Four 100 g pieces to consider if you’re looking for a breaded recipe rather than a plain fillet. Check the ingredients, allergens and whether you can take just one piece out of the pack.
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The pack contains ten pieces, making it easy to spread a breaded recipe across several meals. If you only want to prepare some of them, check whether you can take the pieces out separately and read the product ingredients.
Choose a number of pieces that suits your meals and check that you can take out only the ones you need. Findus says that the fillets in its plain range are individually wrapped. With a large bag, the total weight alone doesn’t tell you whether the pieces are easy to separate.
No. The coating adds other ingredients to the fish. For example, E.Leclerc’s product information for ECO+ breaded fish fingers states that they contain 65% minced Alaska pollock; check the ingredients and allergens for the product you’re considering.
Compare the type of product, total weight and number of pieces, then check whether you’ll be able to take out only the amount you need. Two packs of the same weight may be more or less practical depending on the size and packaging of their portions.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and keep the fish cold while you transport it. The French Ministry of the Economy states that breaking the cold chain can make food unsafe to eat. Also follow the product instructions after opening and before cooking.