Warning signs that supermarket fish is not actually fresh

Brits eat around 167 million portions of fish and chips a year, and that is not counting the other dishes people use fish for when they are at home.

However, you do not want to be wasting money on fish that is not fresh, especially if it is an expensive type of fish.

While you can find some great fish in the supermarkets and at fishmongers, sometimes it might not be as fresh as it looks, but there are ways to check before.

There is an easy way to check if supermarket fish is fresh. (Image: Getty)

How to spot if fish is not fresh while in the supermarket

You might think it is normal for fish to have a strong smell in the supermarket, but a seafood expert says the best quality fish should only have a mild scent.

Julian Klenda from Marine Lobster Now said: “Never assume fish is fresh simply because the colour looks right or the packaging is intact.

“If you are buying from a fish counter, ask to smell it.

“Fresh fish should smell mild and clean, perhaps slightly like the sea, but it should not hit you with a strong fishy, sour, or ammonia-like odour.

“That familiar ‘fishy’ smell is not something shoppers should expect from genuinely fresh fish.

“If the smell makes you pull away, trust that reaction and choose something else.”

As fish gets worse, it will develop an increasingly strong and unpleasant smell but will still look fine on the outside.

If you can smell sourness, rancid notes, or an ammonia-like smell, you should avoid buying the fish.

You should check the fish is properly sealed and within its use-by date.

You can also check the condition of the packaging and look closely at the fish for any excess liquid, discolouration, or if it is drying out.

Julian added: “Smell is the fastest check when you have access to the fish, but it should not be the only one.

“Fresh fillets should generally look moist and have firm flesh rather than appearing dry, dull, or mushy.

“If you are buying a whole fish, look for clear, bright eyes and red gills rather than cloudy eyes or brownish gills.

“For shellfish meat such as lobster, scallops, or prawns, look for a clear, pearl-like appearance and little to no odour.

“Any combination of a strong smell, unusual colour, and soft texture should be treated as a warning.”

Will you be using this trick to check fish next time you go shopping? Let us know in the comments.