This article was co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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You pull a filet of fresh fish out of the fridge, ready to make a delicious supper, when you notice the fish looks off. Has it gone bad? If the sell-by date was a couple of days ago, is it still okay to use? When it comes to fish, it’s very important to ensure its freshness is intact, as eating spoiled fish can make you sick. In this article, we’ll explain how to tell if fish has gone bad, from reading the sell-by date to looking for signs.
How do you know if fish has gone bad?
Fish has gone bad if it’s 1 or 2 days past the sell-by date on the packaging. This indicates that the fish’s freshness is gone and the meat has expired. Other signs include cloudy eyes, a slimy coating, a sour smell, mushiness, or discoloration. Discard spoiled fish and sanitize any surfaces it has touched.
Steps
Signs Fish Has Gone Bad: Cheat Sheet
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs cooked fish that smells of ammonia safe to eat?Community AnswerAs long as the flesh is still firm and the skin is shiny rather than slimy, the fish is still fine to cook and eat. If your seafood smells overpoweringly of ammonia, or is mushy, slimy or otherwise questionable, discard it. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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QuestionWhy does my cod have an ammonia taste after I just cooked it?Community AnswerSprinkle salt all over on your cod before you cook/bake/grill/fry it. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes. Then rinse and cook as usual. The salt will draw out any unwanted bad tastes and bring out the best of its flavor.
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QuestionWhy does my cooked salmon have a pungent smell?Community AnswerFresh salmon has a mild scent, so if yours smells pungent or ammonia-like, it's probably bad. You can also inspect the surface for a white, translucent skin. If you see a milky film on your salmon, get rid of it. You'll know cooked salmon is bad if it has a foul odor and slimy texture.
Video
Tips
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Commercially canned fish can last for up to 5 years in the pantry, while homemade canned fish can last 1 year.[16]Thanks
Warnings
- When in doubt, throw out fish you think may have gone bad. It’s not worth the risk of developing a case of food poisoning.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-product-dating#
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
- ↑ http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-wild-chef/seven-tips-for-freezing-fish
- ↑ https://www.fao.org/4/ac061e/AC061E34.htm
- ↑ https://www.fao.org/4/ac061e/AC061E34.htm
- ↑ https://www.fao.org/4/ac061e/AC061E34.htm
- ↑ http://globalnews.ca/news/3649115/how-to-tell-if-the-food-in-your-freezer-has-gone-bad/
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
- ↑ https://cookthestone.com/signs-spoiled-salmon/
- ↑ https://cookthestone.com/signs-spoiled-salmon/
- ↑ https://cookthestone.com/signs-spoiled-salmon/
- ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-store-fish#:~:text=For%20best%20quality%2C%20freeze%20(0,shellfish%2C%203%20to%2012%20months.
About This Article
To tell if fish has gone bad, touch your raw fish to see if it’s slimy, which happens when fish starts to spoil. You can also smell your fish. If it has an increasingly fishy smell or starts to smell like rotten meat, it has gone bad. You can look at your fish, too. Your fresh fish will be light pink or white, but if your fish starts to look glossy or milky, or has a bluish or grayish tint, it’s bad. Looking at salmon? If it’s no longer firm or doesn’t have its typical white lines, don’t eat it! To learn how to tell if fish has gone bad by reading sell-by dates on packages, scroll down!
Reader Success Stories
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"I wasn't able to cook a piece of cod by the recommended date, but it looked fine and no odor whatsoever. This article gave me the courage to cook it rather than dispose of it. I am so glad I did! It was perfect. Thank you!"..." more