To choose frozen wild-caught fish certified to the MSC standard, start by checking for the logo on the exact pack you’re considering. Then compare the ingredients, allergens, proportion of fish and pack size of plain fillets and breaded options. The MSC label doesn’t describe the composition of the whole product.
You’re looking for a clear way to identify wild-caught fish. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, the blue MSC logo indicates that fishing practices have been assessed against its standard. Check for it on the product you choose.
You’re deciding between plain and breaded portions. Cooking methods, ingredients and allergens can vary from one recipe to another, even when both carry the MSC logo.
You want to know what’s actually in each pack before planning your meals. Check the net weight, number of pieces and, for breaded products, the stated proportion of fish.
First, decide whether you want plain fish to cook yourself or a breaded option to prepare according to the pack instructions. Then check the label, ingredients and pack size of the specific product.
Worth considering: if you’d like to season and serve the fish yourself. Carrefour’s product page for Findus MSC cod fillets lists “COD” as the ingredient.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the rest of the meal and follow the cooking instructions for your chosen fillets.
Worth considering: if ready-breaded portions suit the way you plan your meals.
Check: the coating and proportion of fish vary by recipe. The MSC logo doesn’t tell you about either of these.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Certification and origin | The MSC logo on the exact product, followed by the species and any fishing details that apply to it. | I want to be able to identify the wild-capture label before choosing a recipe. Around 36% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Pack size | The net weight, number of pieces and, for a breaded recipe, the proportion of fish. | If I’m planning several meals, I want to know how many portions the pack will make. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and allergens for the specific product. Check the nutritional information too if it matters to your choice. | I need to tell a plain fillet apart from a breaded recipe and spot any ingredients that are relevant to me. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise the ingredients. |
| Preparation | The number of portions and cooking instructions, including whether the product needs to be defrosted first. | To prepare a meal without changing my routine, I need a pack size and cooking method that work for me. Ease of preparation would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Marine Stewardship Council, the label relates to the certified wild-caught fishery. It doesn’t specify the ingredients in the coating or the proportion of fish in a composite product.
Once you’ve spotted the logo, check the ingredients, allergens and proportion of fish on the pack you’re considering.
ALDI France says its fish purchasing policy draws on several standards, including MSC. That doesn’t mean all its frozen fish products carry the MSC logo.
Check the label on the specific product rather than relying on the retailer’s policy alone.
Auchan’s product page for its MSC Alaska pollock fish fingers says they can be cooked without defrosting first. Storage and preparation instructions vary from product to product.
Check the pack instructions before choosing a product, then follow them for cooking and storage.
Carrefour France lists, among other products, 600 g Findus MSC cod fillets. Findus MSC breaded products are also among those reviewed.
Carrefour France’s frozen fish range includes MSC-labelled products from Carrefour and Findus in a variety of pack sizes.
Auchan France lists MSC-certified breaded and prepared products, including 450 g Alaska pollock fish fingers.
Lidl France’s February 2017 charter covers own-brand frozen fish in its permanent range.
ALDI France says its fish purchasing policy draws on standards including MSC, ASC, Global GAP and organic certification.
This selection includes plain fish to cook yourself and breaded options for portioned meals. Compare pack sizes and on-pack information to find the right option for the way you want to prepare it.
Image unavailable
A plain option for cooking hake to suit your needs.
The Joybuy product page says this product may contain crustaceans and molluscs. Check the packaging if these allergens are relevant to you. Also check the portions carefully, as small bones may be present.
Image unavailable
Two breaded portions to consider if you’re looking to prepare this type of recipe in smaller servings.
Check the ingredients, allergens and cooking instructions on the specific pack.
Image unavailable
Four 100 g fillets for breaded portions.
The Joybuy product page states that the recipe contains 51% MSC Alaska pollock. It also contains wheat and mustard, among other ingredients. Check the allergen information on the pack.
Image unavailable
Two plain steaks for a meal you can prepare to suit your taste.
Defrost this product before cooking, as instructed. Check the pack for full details.
Image unavailable
A pack of ten pieces to consider if you’d like to spread breaded portions across several meals.
Check the proportion of cod, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging.
On a wild-caught seafood product bearing the logo, it indicates that the fishing practices have been assessed against the Marine Stewardship Council’s standard. It doesn’t describe the ingredients, allergens or nutritional values of the whole recipe.
First, check the product name and the information relevant to that type of product. For unprocessed fishery and aquaculture products, the DGCCRF specifies details including the species, production method and fishing area or country of farming. For a breaded recipe, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information too.
Yes, if the instructions for your chosen product say it can be cooked from frozen. This applies to the MSC Alaska pollock fish fingers listed by Auchan France. Follow the cooking instructions on the pack rather than assuming they apply to other types of fish.
Don’t refreeze it if the packaging says not to. The instructions listed on Joybuy product pages for Findus, Pescanova and Escal products include this warning. Check the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen.