How should seafood be delivered and stored?

Seafood should be delivered and stored in crushed ice to maintain its freshness and safety. When seafood is kept on crushed ice, it helps to lower the temperature effectively, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria that can thrive at warmer temperatures. Ice provides a consistent cooling environment, and as it melts, it absorbs heat from the surrounding seafood, helping to keep it at a safe temperature.

Using crushed ice also ensures that the seafood remains in a moist environment, which is important because seafood tends to dry out if exposed to air for too long. Proper storage on ice is essential to preserve quality, flavor, and safety, making this method widely recommended by food safety guidelines.

Other methods of delivery and storage, such as using dry ice or vacuum-sealed packages, can have specific applications but do not guarantee the same level of temperature control and humidity essential for maintaining the quality of seafood. Room temperature is not appropriate for seafood storage due to increased risk of spoilage and foodborne illness.