Glaze? - what? why?
Glaze is a protective layer of frozen water that helps preserve the freshness of the fish - but make sure that you are not paying for the water!
Seafood is a delicate thing, and to preserve its freshness and high quality while frozen, a protective layer of water is added to the surface of frozen seafood. This ice layer is called "glaze". Glaze is a good thing, but you should make sure you are not paying for the water!
What is glaze?
Glaze is a protective layer of water added to the surface of frozen seafood in order to protect it from drying out during storage and transportation. The amount of glaze depends on the temperature of both the product and the water, the surface area of the product, and the glazing time. Between 8 and 12 % glaze is common, but up to 40 % is seen in the marketplace.
Why is it necessary?
Glaze is an effective packaging aid for fish and seafood, to preserve the quality of the product. Packaging in a protective layer of ice minimises the risk of contact with the air and extends the durability of the product. When the rate of oxidation is reduced, rancidity is minimised. Glaze protects against minor temperature fluctuations and freezer burn during transport and storage.
How is it added?
Glaze is added by dipping or spraying the frozen seafood product with potable water.
How is the glaze quality assured?
Quality assurance of the glaze is in accordance with the guidelines created by Codex Alimentarius, which is an independent organisation under FAO/WHO with the purpose of creating global standards for food and food production. For instance, the Codex standard for frozen prawns consists of a sensory and a physical examination, defrosting and weighing, based on a carefully defined procedure with required temperature conditions and applied equipment, as well as different types of cooking, whereby the quality of the product is evaluated. Royal Greenland uses this method for its quality controls.
How is the glaze declared?
Up until now, no common declaration practice has existed, which has led to confusion. Some producers have declared the net weight of the total content of the packaging, while others have declared the net weight excluding glaze, or declared both gross and net weight on the packaging. This has led some products to seem artificially less expensive than others.
What does Royal Greenland do?
Royal Greenland has promoted uniformity and transparency for several years by declaring the net weight excluding glaze on all of its packaging. Royal Greenland wishes to inform about our glaze procedures, for the benefit of both customers and consumers. On branded packaging for retail, only the required net weight excluding glaze is declared. This practice will continue because it is the company’s ambition to be a trusted partner that does not mislead its customers.
