Being a seafood enthusiast means understanding how to tell whether the fish and shellfish you purchase is fresh is of utmost importance. Seafood spoils quickly, leading to serious food-borne illness such as botulism when consumed raw. Luckily, there are some simple tricks you can use in your search for fresher options on the market.

One of the first things you should do when purchasing seafood is inspect its eyes. A fresh fish should have bright and clear eyes; any time they start to fade into dull gray hues that is an indicator that its prime has passed. Furthermore, examine its gills; red and vibrant with moist texture should be seen on each one; any dry spots or discoloration or milky slime should also be an indicator that this food should not be eaten.

Another effective way of judging seafood freshness is by touching it. Frozen seafood should feel soft and firm; fresh seafood should have a shiny metallic sheen with flesh that springs back when pressed – an indicator that it has just been harvested.

Be wary of any seafood packaged openly or torn or crushed on its edges as this could indicate it may no longer be fresh. Ice crystals on seafood could also indicate it has been exposed to temperatures below freezing, which may mean it has been thawed out and refrozen, potentially leading to contamination of both your body and its packaging.

Before purchasing seafood, be sure to verify its expiration date. Often printed on packaging is an “sell-by” date which outlines how long the product should remain safe to consume; once this date has passed it should be discarded as its quality will quickly deteriorate. Some frozen seafood products come equipped with temperature/time indicators which show whether they were stored at an ideal temperature for optimal shelf life; these indicators can help identify potentially expired seafood products.

When shopping for fresh seafood, visiting a fishmonger rather than a large supermarket is recommended. Their turnover rate is much quicker, meaning you’re more likely to get the freshest selection possible. Keep in mind when purchasing live crabs and lobsters that if their legs do not move when tapped they should be considered dead and should be disposed of immediately; similarly for clams and oysters which should close when touched then don’t select them either