FS3-02.08-Fillet discolouration

Summary

Whitefish flesh naturally changes colour with age and depending on how it has been handled after capture. Initially, whitefish species such as cod and haddock have a blue, translucent colouration, which changes to white after a couple of days. After this the flesh can become yellow and then brown but it is generally considered inedible before it changes into these colours. However there are also other reasons as to why fish flesh can be classed as discoloured. This factsheet provides a very basic summary about the reasons for colour changes in whitefish.

Publication Reference No.

FS3-02.08

Publication date

01 February 2008