AZE.US
Consumers in Azerbaijan are being urged to pay closer attention when buying fish in stores and supermarkets, after concerns were raised about products covered with thick layers of ice and showing signs of excessive freezing.
Specialists say many buyers struggle to tell the difference between properly chilled fish and fish that has been heavily frozen. That distinction matters, they warn, because overfreezing can strip fish of moisture, alter its texture, and reduce its overall taste and quality.
Vendors say some fish sold in Azerbaijan is imported, including from Iran and Russia. These products may arrive chilled and packed in ice, but they are not supposed to turn into a solid frozen mass. Sellers add that most customers still prefer fresh fish, while demand for frozen products remains lower.
Food expert Aga Salamov says fish that is frozen too hard or kept under a heavy ice layer for too long begins to lose moisture, directly affecting flavor and texture. He noted that storage at around minus 18 to minus 20 degrees Celsius is considered more appropriate.
He also warned that excessive icing affects not only quality but also weight, meaning buyers may end up paying for ice rather than the fish itself.
Experts say such products are not necessarily dangerous from a food safety standpoint, but their texture and taste can deteriorate significantly. That is why shoppers are advised to look not only at whether the fish is cold, but also at whether the flesh remains firm and retains its natural structure.