The largest Spanish supermarket chain, Mercadona, has changed its approach to selling fish: now all products are delivered to stores exclusively in trays. This decision is aimed at speeding up the delivery of fresh fish to customers and making storage more convenient. The new system has already raised questions among customers, especially regarding the possibility of freezing such products.
The company has officially clarified: fish in trays can be frozen if there is no special warning on the packaging. In certain cases, the label indicates a ban on freezing — it is this information that is recommended to pay attention to first. In all other situations, the product can be stored in the freezer, but with a number of conditions.
Storage recommendations
Mercadona advises that if the package has been opened, the fish should be transferred to special airtight freezer bags. This helps preserve the quality and freshness of the product. The optimal storage period for frozen fish is no more than one month. If the product was previously thawed and then frozen again, it must be cooked at a temperature exceeding 70°C for at least two minutes before consumption.
Changes for customers
Switching to selling fish in trays has allowed Mercadona to reduce waiting times in stores and offer a wider variety: now available are fillets, steaks, and whole fish, already cleaned and ready to cook. According to the company, over the past two years, specialists have analyzed customer feedback, conducted blind tests and surveys to adapt the selection to real needs.
Context and details
Questions about food storage and freezing rules are regularly discussed in Spain. For example, earlier attention was drawn to the story of Colonel Cascon’s fate, which also sparked widespread public debate — more about this can be found in the article on the controversies surrounding his death. In Mercadona’s case, the company emphasizes that any exceptions regarding freezing are always indicated on the packaging, and this information should be decisive for customers.
