Is fresh seafood better than frozen?
Whether it’s sold as fresh or frozen, it’s how seafood is handled post-catch that determines its quality; after all, pre-catch products are one in the same. Major improvements in freezing techniques in recent years have been made while the time between harvesting or catching and processing and freezing fresh products has diminished. Both contribute to better textures and tastes in frozen seafood. Also consider that commercially frozen seafood is ”flash frozen” sometimes hours after it is caught; by comparison it might take two to three days for ”fresh” seafood to make it to your supermarket.

Do I get the same health benefits taking fish oil pills as I do eating fish?
Taking pills as opposed to eating fish can give people a false sense of security. Having fish in your diet is not just about Omega-3 fatty acids, it’s also a healthy, low-fat protein with iodine and other nutrients that you don’t get in a fish-oil pill.

Should pregnant women avoid seafood?
Yes and no. There has been some concern about mercury in certain types of fish. Studies on the link between seafood and birth defects have proven inconclusive; however, the FDA, EPA and CFIA have issued guidelines for specific types of fish (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg.html). Recent studies by the University of Connecticut (http://advance.uconn.edu/2007/070618/07061813.htm) and other organizations have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids are important in fetal brain development. Talk to a healthcare professional to understand the risks and benefits of seafood consumption while pregnant.

Is it true that salmon is high in PCBs and I shouldn’t eat it?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says this about PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls): “Our advice to consumers is not to alter their consumption of farmed or wild salmon. We don’t believe that the risk here is something the public should be alarmed about.”

Are there easy ways to cook seafood?
Absolutely!  Buy seafood uncooked and frozen and it’s just a matter of following the cooking directions on the package or from favorite recipes. Look for easy ways to prepare seafood in the recipe section of our Web site.

Do I have to thaw seafood before cooking?
Unlike other proteins, seafood can be cooked while still frozen without impacting the quality texture and flavor. Look for “Cook from Frozen” instructions on Aqua Star packaging.

Is seafood high in sodium?
Because some sesame seafood species hail from salty waters, it’s natural to think that they have high levels of sodium. The sodium levels in seafood vary widely, but seafood from the salty sea isn’t’ necessarily higher in sodium.

Why does seafood smell?
Wholesome fish are not naturally malodorous. In most cases, seafood spoils because of improper storage—either it’s spent too much time in the refrigerator or on the counter. It’s best to prepare thawed seafood within 24 hours, store your leftovers in the fridge, and eat them within two days.

Can I cook seafood in the microwave?
Yes. Put fillets on a rotating plate for a couple minutes and you have yourself a meal! Of course, microwave cooking times vary and you should always use 50% power. We recommend experimenting with the timing: Start out on the shorter side (don’t overcook!) and increase the time until the fish is cooked to your liking.

Is there a ban on seafood from China?
No, the FDA is placing an import alert on farm-raised catfish, a related fish called “basa,” shrimp, dace and eel from China. This is not a ban, but puts these five products on detention without physical examination (DWPE) status, meaning they cannot enter the U.S. without first being shown to be safe. Wild caught seafood from China is not impacted by the alert. Robert Brackett, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition says, “Consumers should know that this is not an immediate public health hazard. The levels of contaminants that have been found are very low, and FDA is not advising consumers to destroy or return farm-raised seafood that they may have already purchased and have in their homes. The agency also is not seeking a recall of product already in the marketplace.”