Guidelines For Buying Fish

Question 1

List the guidelines to follow when buying fish.

8

Answer 1

Clean and hygienic fish counter

Use-by date

Fish flesh texture

Eyes and gills

No discoloration

Shellfish

Smell

Buy at end of shopping trip

Question 2

Explain why you should buy fish from a clean and hygienic fish counter.
(2)

Answer 2

Buy fish from a retailer with a clean and hygienic fish counter

The retailer should have a strict food hygiene and safety policy to ensure any fish being sold is safe and fit for consumption

Question 3

What type of fish counter should you buy fish from?

Answer 3

A clean and hygienic fish counter

Question 4

What type of policy should the retailer have in place for fish?

Answer 4

A strict food hygiene and safety policy

Question 5

Why should the retailer have a strict food hygiene and safety policy in place?

Answer 5

To ensure any fish being sold is safe and fit for consumption

Question 6

Explain why you should inspect the use by date on fish before buying.
(2)

Answer 6

Check the use-by date on pre-packaged fish

After this date fish is unsafe to eat

Question 7

Why should you not eat fish after the use by date?

Answer 7

Because after this date fish is unsafe to eat

Question 8

Explain why you should inspect the flesh of fish before buying.
(2)

Answer 8

Ensure fish has firm, elastic flesh

The skin should be shiny, moist, unbroken and slime-free, as slime is an indication of bacterial growth

The scales should be tightly attached and not loose

Question 9

How should the flesh of fish feel?

Answer 9

It should be firm and elastic

Question 10

Describe the appearance of healthy fish flesh.

4

Answer 10

Shiny

Moist

Unbroken

Slime-free

Question 11

Why should fish flesh be slime free?

Answer 11

As slime is an indication of bacterial growth

Question 12

Describe the scales of a healthy, fresh fish?

Answer 12

The scales should be tightly attached and not loose

Question 13

Explain why you should inspect the eyes and gills of fish.

2

Answer 13

Ensure whole fish have bright and bulging eyes

Gills should be bright red

Question 14

Describe the eyes of fresh fish.

2

Answer 14

Bright

Bulging

Question 15

Describe the gills of fresh fish.

Answer 15

Bright red

Question 16

Explain why you should inspect flesh for discoloration.

2

Answer 16

Ensure cuts of fish have firm, transparent flesh

No discoloration such as bruising should be evident

Question 17

Explain why you should inspect shellfish carefully.

4

Answer 17

Shellfish should feel heavy for their size

Molluscs’ shells should be closed or close when touched

Open shells indicate that molluscs are dead and not edible

Crustaceans should be alive to reduce the risk of food poisoning, as they spoil quickly when dead

Question 18

Comment on the weight of shellfish.

Answer 18

Shellfish should feel heavy for their size

Question 19

Describe how molluscs should be bought.

Answer 19

Mollusc’s shells should be closed or should close when touched

Question 20

Why should you only buy molluscs whose shells are closed or close when touched?

Answer 20

As open shells indicate that molluscs are dead and not edible

Question 21

How should one buy crustaceans?

Answer 21

Crustaceans should be alive to reduce the risk of food poisoning, as they spoil quickly when dead

Question 22

Explain why should inspect the smell of fish when purchasing.
(3)

Answer 22

Check fish have a smell of the sea

An unpleasant smell is an indication of bacterial growth

Smoked fish should have a fresh, smoky odour

Question 23

How should fish smell?

Answer 23

They should have a smell of the sea

Question 24

What is an unpleasant smell an indication of?

Answer 24

Bacterial growth

Question 25

How should smoked fish smell?

Answer 25

They should have a fresh, smoky odour

Question 26

Explain why you should buy fish near the end of a shopping trip.

Answer 26

Buy fish near the end of the shopping trip to minimise the amount of time it spends at room temperature (optimum temperature for bacterial growth) before returning to a fridge

Question 27

Where should you store fish at home?

Answer 27

In a fridge

Question 28

When should you buy fish during you trip?

Answer 28

At the end of the shopping trip