Seafood · Product label guide
Fresh & frozen seafood: compare ingredients, then choose.
Updated
Compare salmon, trout, shrimp, and other seafood cuts. Ingredient checks do not test mercury or contaminants.
The short answer
Our picks for fresh & frozen seafood
Top of the shelfGood & Gather Swai Fillets, GreenWise Wild Caught Pollock Fillets, and Publix Swordfish Steaks each score 100/100. 13 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongBlue Circle Atlantic Salmon (100), Aqua Star Raw Shrimp (100), and Member's Mark Swai Fillets (100).
Clear noTrident Seafoods Bite Style Salmon Snack (lists seed oils and carrageenan), Van de Kamp's Beer Battered Fillets (lists seed oils and corn syrups), Gorton's Fish Sticks (lists seed oils), plus 10 more with a listed group. We also can’t vouch for the 32 products without a verified current label; treat them as “not yet”.
Ranked from 26 of 58 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SHRIMP, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (FOR MOISTURE RETENTION). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2289732 · data date 2022-05-23 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SALMON, ASTAXANTHIN (FOR COLOR) FROM PANAFERD* Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2487626 · data date 2023-02-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SALMON, ASTAXANTHIN (FOR COLOR) FROM PANAFERD*, SALT, WHITE PEPPER Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2470000 · data date 2023-02-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SWAI (PANGASIANODON HYPOPHTHALMUS). Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2677915 · data date 2023-11-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients ALASKA POLLOCK FILLETS, BREADCRUMB COATING. ALASKA POLLOCK FILLETS BREADCRUMB COATING BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, PALM OIL, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR, WHEY, MALTODEXTRIN, DEHYDRATED ONION, YEAST, CARAMEL COLOR, CITRIC ACID, BREWERS YEAST, BAKING POWDER (BAKING SODA, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE), PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), NATURAL FLAVOR, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, DEHYDRATED GREEN BELL PEPPER, XANTHAN GUM, MALIC ACID, COLORED WITH ANNATTO AND TURMERIC EXTRACT. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2577370 · data date 2023-06-29 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SWAI (PANGASIANODON HYPOPHTHALMUS), WATER, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (TO RETAIN MOISTURE), SALT. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2504962 · data date 2023-03-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients POLLOCK FILLETS. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2393378 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SWAI, WATER, SALT. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2394667 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients INGREDIENTS: SWORDFISH. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2467328 · data date 2023-02-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SHRIMP, BUTTER, WHITE COOKING WINE (WINE, SALT), WATER, GARLIC, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR), LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, OREGANO, PARSLEY, SALT, SHALLOTS, SPICE, SUGAR, TAPIOCA STARCH, XANTHAN GUM. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2633359 · data date 2023-09-14 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients SOCKEYE SALMON, SALT, BROWN SUGAR, NATURAL WOOD SMOKE. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2496646 · data date 2023-03-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients Sockeye Salmon, Sea Salt, Non-GMO Brown Sugar, Natural Hardwood Smoke Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | |||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | |||||
Recorded ingredients Wild Alaskan Sockeye salmon, water, organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, organic arrowroot, organic onion powder, organic spices and herbs, organic vinegar powder, organic garlic powder Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients POLLOCK, HIGHLY REFINED SOYBEAN OIL, WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SUNFLOWER SEED OIL, SALT, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, DEXTROSE+, YEAST, CORNSTARCH, ASCORBIC ACID (DOUGH CONDITIONER), GUAR GUM, CANE SUGAR+, PEA PROTEIN ISOLATE, SPICE EXTRACTIVES, METHYLCELLULOSE. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2462224 · data date 2023-02-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients TEMPURA SHRIMP - SHRIMP, WHEAT FLOUR, FOOD STARCH, SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, SALT, RICE FLOUR, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE. SOY DIPPING SAUCE - WATER, GLUCOSE, SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN, SALT), SUGAR, SORBITOL, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, SALT. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2508358 · data date 2023-03-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients MINCED POLLOCK, BREADCRUMB COATING, VEGETABLE OIL. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2601613 · data date 2023-07-13 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients MINCED FISH BLEND (POLLOCK, WHITING, HADDOCK, COD, SOLE), WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, COTTONSEED, AND/OR SOYBEAN), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, DEXTROSE, PALM OIL, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, CORN STARCH, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM LACTATE), DEHYDRATED ONION, YEAST, MODIFIED CELLULOSE, MALTODEXTRIN, NONFAT MILK, ONION POWDER, YEAST EXTRACT, ENRICHED BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, WHEY, BUTTER FLAVOR (ENZYME MODIFIED BUTTER, FLAVOR), NATURAL FLAVORS, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, SPICES, CARAMEL COLOR, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, ANNATTO AND TURMERIC (COLOR), SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (TO RETAIN MOISTURE). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2673110 · data date 2023-11-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients COD, WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: DEHYDRATED ROASTED GARLIC, SOYBEAN OIL, GELATIN, SALT, VINEGAR POWDER, LEMON ZEST, PALM OIL, SPICES, MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR, DEHYDRATED GREEN ONION, DEHYDRATED CHIVE, DEHYDRATED PARSLEY, NATURAL FLAVORS, SOY LECITHIN. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2624131 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients MINCED ALASKA POLLOCK, WHEAT FLOUR, VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA OIL, COTTONSEED OIL, AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL), BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SUGAR, NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, LEAVENING (SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE), YELLOW CORN FLOUR, YEAST EXTRACT, WHEY, ONION POWDER, YEAST, DEXTROSE, CARAMEL COLOR, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA AND TURMERIC (COLOR). Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2522489 · data date 2023-04-27 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
| 89 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic not applicable | Product details → | 3 | |||||
Recorded ingredients MINCED POLLOCK, WHEAT FLOUR, WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: CORN STARCH, DRIED CITRUS PULP, SALT, SUGAR, VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN, METHYLCELLULOSE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), YEAST, DEXTROSE, GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, SPICE, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2617200 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | |||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
The full guide · Seafood
Choosing fresh & frozen seafood: what to check before you buy
Choose the exact species and format first: whole, filleted, peeled, breaded or seasoned. Compare the edible portion and check added water, salt, glaze or phosphates on frozen seafood.
Use fishery or farm details when reviewing sustainability claims. For mercury-related choices, consult the FDA/EPA advice by species; a wild-caught label or an ingredient score does not provide a contaminant test result.
What the labels on this shelf show
We track 58 products from 21 brands on the fresh & frozen seafood shelf. 26 have a complete, current ingredient label on record (45%), which is what lets us score them. The other 32 stay unscored until the maker publishes a full label; a missing label is “not yet”, never a pass.
Of the 26 scored labels, 13 (50%) list none of the nine additive groups we check. The group that appears most is seed oils, listed on 13 labels, followed by carrageenan on 1. None of the scored products carries a verified organic claim, which is why scores cluster below 100. Scores here run from 78 to 100, and the typical label lists 13 ingredients.
What to compare
- Species and format
- Choose the exact fish or shellfish and prepared or plain format.
- Edible amount
- Allow for shells, bones or glaze when comparing packages.
- Added ingredients
- Read water, salt, phosphates, breading or seasoning on the exact product.
- Mercury and sourcing
- Consult FDA/EPA species advice and the named fishery or farm information.
The best picks, in detail
These are the highest-scoring fresh & frozen seafood products on current labels. 13 products tie at 100, so we put the shortest ingredient lists first; Always match the exact flavor and package before you buy.
Good & Gather Swai Fillets 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “SWAI (PANGASIANODON HYPOPHTHALMUS).”
Maker’s label sourceGreenWise Wild Caught Pollock Fillets 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “POLLOCK FILLETS.”
Maker’s label sourcePublix Swordfish Steaks 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “INGREDIENTS: SWORDFISH.”
Maker’s label sourceBlue Circle Atlantic Salmon 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “SALMON, ASTAXANTHIN (FOR COLOR) FROM PANAFERD*”
Maker’s label sourceAqua Star Raw Shrimp 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “SHRIMP, SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (FOR MOISTURE RETENTION).”
Maker’s label sourceMember's Mark Swai Fillets 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “SWAI, WATER, SALT.”
Maker’s label source
What to skip, and why
These scored products list at least one group on their current label. That is the clearest reason to pass if you are avoiding those ingredients.
- Trident Seafoods Bite Style Salmon Snack lists seed oils and carrageenan (78/100)
- Van de Kamp's Beer Battered Fillets lists seed oils and corn syrups (78/100)
- Gorton's Fish Sticks lists seed oils (89/100)
The 32 products without a verified label are a separate “not yet”: we have no recorded ingredient list to check, so we cannot say they are clean or flagged.
Your preferences, explained
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.
References
- Advice about eating fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Seafood Watch recommendations Monterey Bay Aquarium
- MSC certified sustainable seafood Marine Stewardship Council
- Fish Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Omega-3 fatty acids fact sheet for consumers NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy or safety assessment. How we verify labels →