Freezing golden pompano requires a precise and carefully monitored process to ensure the highest quality fish reaches the market.

From the acceptance of raw materials to final shipping, every step in the freezing process is crucial for maintaining freshness, taste, and safety.

Below, we outline the entire process followed at Yanghuafishery to ensure our frozen golden pompano meets international standards and satisfies the diverse needs of our customers.

Acceptance/Receipt/Storage of Raw and Auxiliary Materials

Acceptance of Raw Materials

The first step in the freezing process is accepting raw materials. At Yanghuafishery, we ensure that all golden pompanos come from CIQ-registered farms to meet export regulations.

The farms provide essential documents such as the “Certificate of Supply of Aquatic Products for Export Processing” and the “Certificate of Aquaculture Drugs,” ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Upon delivery of chilled golden pompano to the factory, the raw material inspector reviews these certificates alongside the “Notice of Raw Material Pre-inspection Results” from the laboratory.

Each batch is subjected to a sensory inspection. Fish that show signs of poor quality, such as white eyes, dead fish, skin injuries, or broken tails, are removed and classified as defective.

The quality control department oversees this process, ensuring that only top-grade fish proceed to the following stages.

Acceptance/Receipt of Auxiliary Materials

The packaging materials are also critical to the process. All packaging materials must come from certified suppliers with a qualified inspection certificate for each batch.

The packaging must display “Golden Pomfret” on the material for traceability.

Once accepted, these materials are stored in a dedicated warehouse to maintain their integrity.

Add Ice to Keep Fresh

Once the fish is accepted and transferred into insulated barrels for storage, fresh ice is added to keep the golden pompano cool.

Extra ice is placed at the bottom and walls of the barrel to prevent rapid melting.

Proper icing is essential to maintaining the fish’s freshness during handling and preparation.

Cleaning

The fish are placed in baskets for cleaning, where foreign materials such as sand, soil, and mud are washed off. This initial cleaning is critical for preparing the fish for further processing.

Gutted（*）

Gutting is performed with precision to avoid damaging the fish, which can affect both its appearance and quality.

Any remaining blood or viscera on the fish’s surface is thoroughly cleaned to maintain its freshness and prevent any off-flavors from developing.

Cleaning (Thorough)

In this step, the fish undergo a more thorough cleaning, focusing on removing viscera and any residual blood on the surface of the fish.

Clean fish are essential for maintaining the quality and taste of the final frozen product.

Grading

After cleaning, the golden pompano is graded according to process requirements based on size and weight.

This ensures that fish of similar size are processed and packaged together, improving consistency in the final product.

Quick Freezing in Trays

Before freezing, the cleaned and graded fish are arranged neatly on trays.

The fish are placed with their heads facing the same direction and belly openings upward to allow even freezing.

The fish must stay distinct to ensure proper freezing.

Quick Freezing

The trays of golden pompano are placed in quick-freezing equipment.

This process rapidly reduces the temperature of the fish to below -18℃ at the core.

Quick freezing is vital for locking in freshness and preventing the formation of large ice crystals that can damage the texture of the fish.

Remove from Trays

Once frozen, the trays are gently shaken to release the fish, which fall into baskets for further handling.

Weighing

The frozen fish are weighed according to the process requirements.

Accurate weighing is necessary to meet customer specifications and regulatory standards for product labeling.

Ice Coating

The fish are then dipped in ice water, kept below 4℃.

This ice coating helps to form a protective layer over the fish, preventing dehydration and freezer burn during long-term storage.

Inner Packaging

Once the fish are coated, they are packaged according to the specified process.

Vacuum sealing or airtight packaging methods maintain freshness and prevent contamination during storage and transportation.

Metal Detection

To ensure product safety, each bag of frozen golden pompano passes through a metal detector.

This step checks for any foreign metal objects, providing the fish is free from contaminants.

Outer Packaging

After passing metal detection, the fish are placed in outer packaging, sealed, and labeled for storage.

This packaging provides an additional layer of protection and ensures the product is ready for shipping.

Refrigeration

The packaged products are stored in cold storage facilities, where the temperature is maintained at -18℃ or lower.

Consistent temperature control, with fluctuations no more significant than 3℃, ensures that the fish remains in optimal condition during storage.

Shipping

Before loading for shipment, the refrigerated containers are cleaned and pre-cooled to ensure a hygienic environment and readiness for frozen goods.

The temperature in the shipping container is kept below -18℃ to prevent any thawing during transportation.

This ensures that the fish reaches its destination in perfect condition.

Note: The processes marked with an asterisk () can be modified according to customer requirements or legal and regulatory standards.*

Conclusion

The entire freezing process of Golden Pompano, from acceptance to final shipment, is designed to ensure the highest quality product for consumers.

At Yanghuafishery, we take every step seriously, ensuring that the golden pompano we deliver is fresh, safe, and of premium quality.

Partnering with us guarantees a reliable source of frozen golden pompano for your business needs.