Question 1

How do you ship shellfish?

Accepted Answer

Vital Choice has been a trusted source of wild-caught fish and shellfish online for more than twenty years. We ship frozen products separately from nonperishable products, and we pack them securely with dry ice in corrugated cardboard boxes. We insulate our boxes with padded liners made of recycled denim, which offers extraordinary thermal protection, conserves natural resources, and diverts hundreds of tons of textile waste from landfills each year.

Question 2

Is frozen shellfish safe?

Accepted Answer

Shellfish frozen at or below 0°F (-18°C) should remain safe indefinitely, however, quality declines after 3 to 6 months. We offer several types of shellfish that come to you cleaned, shucked, and ready to thaw for the grill, skillet, or your favorite frozen shellfish recipes. The shellfish we offer is wild-harvested in the Bering Sea, Pacific Ocean, or Atlantic Ocean. We do not offer freshwater shellfish. Instructions for how to safely defrost your shellfish are provided on the package.

Question 3

How long can shellfish be frozen?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum-packaged shellfish stored at or below 0°F (-18°C) should retain its quality for 3 to 6 months. Frozen shellfish and fresh shellfish can be used interchangeably, yet the availability of frozen shellfish delivery means you can enjoy the convenience of seasonally harvested wild-caught shellfish at home any time of the year.

Question 4

Is frozen seafood as good as fresh?

Accepted Answer

With the year-round availability of frozen fish and shellfish, seafood lovers are not limited to their local catch of the day. Major advances in rapid-freeze technologies mean seafood can be frozen solid in a matter of minutes or hours, which minimizes damage to cell walls, preserving taste, texture, and moisture levels. The result is comparable to—if not better than—fresh, never-frozen seafood. In fact, consumer taste tests conducted by Oregon State University compared fresh vs frozen seafood and consistently put frozen seafood on top. Customers often ask us, “Is shellfish good for you?” All of the shellfish species we offer, including shrimp, scallops, crab, and lobster, are rich in protein, low in fat, and contain zero carbs.