Seafood Additives to Look Out for
Seafood additives are substances added to the product to maintain or improve its safety, freshness, taste, texture, or appearance. In this article, we’re exploring different variations, as well as which ones to look out for.
Common Seafood Additives
Some seafood additives have been in use for centuries for preservation purposes. Salt has been used for dried fish (and meats such as bacon) for centuries. Sulphur dioxide has similarly been used for preserving wine.
As human population numbers grew, different food additives were developed over time to meet the needs of food production. Making food on an industrial scale is very different from making food at home. Seafood additives are needed to ensure that the processed food stays safe and in good condition throughout the journey from the factory or industrial kitchen to warehouses and then shops before eventually finding its way to the consumer’s plate. The use of food additives is only justified when their use serves a specific technical purpose, does not mislead the consumer, and has been proven safe for human consumption.
Seafood additives are added intentionally to perform certain technical functions which consumers are often unaware of or take for granted. There are several thousand food additives used, all of which are designed to do a specific job in making food safer or more appealing. Apart from the fact that seafood is delicious, it is also a fantastic source of protein, micronutrients, and essential fatty acids. It makes a great substitute for red meat but as is the case with many foods, how do you know that you’re getting the benefits of healthy seafood, without getting any unwanted additives?
Packaged meals offer the advantage of being convenient because they are designed to be quick and easy to prepare. The downside is that they often contain a range of unhealthy ingredients, including preservatives and several undesirable chemicals. One way of guaranteeing that you’re getting a healthy meal is to start with fresh or frozen fish from the get-go.
Seafood Additives You Don’t Want to See
Antibiotics and hormones are definitely off the list of allowed substances. Depending on where the fish is raised and under what conditions, fish farmers may use antibiotics and growth hormones to increase yield and control disease. Look for seafood varieties labelled “all-natural” and always make sure any claims on the packaging are verified and endorsed by a reputable third party, such as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, or The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa.
Excessive amounts of sodium are also to be avoided. Sodium acts as a preservative and while it is convenient and therefore a favourite seafood additive, many frozen, pre-packaged, and canned products contain large amounts of it. Products more likely to contain excessive amounts of sodium include some brands of fish sticks, smoked salmon, canned tuna, and canned crab.
To avoid excess sodium, avoid pre-made and canned items and use fresh or frozen fish to make your own healthier variations of the pre-made offerings. Some producers use sodium tripolyphosphate to make fish appear firmer, smoother, and glossier, making older fish appear fresher than it really is. Some fish farmers are using artificial colouring to make their fish look fresher and more appealing. This is another reason to look for “all-natural” on the packaging.
If you’re looking for specialists in seafood preservation, look no further than Tequisa. We supply additives to companies around the world and our products are backed by 31 years of experience. To request a quote, you can contact us by filling in our online form or sending us an email at info@tequisa.co.za.
