Understand the proper and hygienic way to thaw frozen fish

Fresh foods such as beef, chicken, and fish are now displayed on frozen food counters as a solution for those of you who don't have much time to cook but still want to eat healthy. Although practical, the risk of health problems still lurk if you do not understand the proper way to thaw frozen fish.

Before thawing frozen fish, understand how to store it

Freshly purchased frozen fish should be refrigerated immediately. If this is not possible, pack the fish in a packet filled with ice cubes to keep it cool before storing it in the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for storing seafood is below 4 degrees Celsius, but it is even better if you refrigerate it (freezer).

Reporting from the page USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the bacteria already present in fish will multiply quickly if they are at room temperature for too long. This is why frozen fish that has been at room temperature for more than two hours should not be re-frozen and should be processed immediately.

Then, how to thaw the right frozen fish?

There are three ways to thaw frozen fish, namely as follows.

1. Leave in the refrigerator

This is the safest way to defrost frozen fish. Place the fish in a clean container, then place it at the bottom of the refrigerator or away from other food to prevent contamination.

This process can take up to 24 hours. So you need to prepare frozen fish at least a day before cooking. The advantage is that the quality of the fish will be maintained for 1-2 days after that.

2. Using cold water

This method is faster than leaving the fish in the refrigerator, but you need to be careful with it. First, wrap the fish in a plastic bag. Make sure the plastic bag you use doesn't leak to prevent bacteria from entering and damaging the fish.

Place the plastic in a container filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the fish is no longer frozen. One kilogram of frozen fish may take 2 hours before it can be prepared.

3. Using microwave

To defrost frozen fish use microwave, You need a safe, heat-resistant container. Avoid heating fish using a container styrofoam, cardboard packaging, or plastic wrap in direct contact with fish.

Put the fish in a container, then cover it with a lid that is not in direct contact with the fish. This method is easy and fast, but is only recommended for fish that are about to be cooked.

Things that need to be considered when processing frozen fish

Frozen fish that has been completely thawed must be processed immediately. Do not put fish back in the refrigerator as this can cause contamination and increase the risk of food poisoning.

Sometimes, the center of the fish may feel frozen even though the other half has thawed. Make no mistake and leave the fish at room temperature until the center is no longer frozen, because the surface temperature of the fish may have increased and bacteria could multiply.

If thawing frozen fish is a hassle, you can also prepare frozen fish without preheating it. However, it should be noted that cooking frozen fish directly certainly takes a longer time until it is completely cooked.

Whether heated or not, always pay close attention to the methods you use in storing, preparing, and processing frozen food. That way, you can continue to eat a healthy diet and avoid the risk of health problems due to wrong methods.