Is there an easy way to tell if frozen shrimp have been chemically treated?

Question

I recently purchased a two pound bag of IQF locally caught wild shrimp from a fisherman.  They are beautiful but there is no labeling on the bag. Looking for an easy way to tell if they have been treated with sodium bisulfite or sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as many imported farmed shrimp are. I should have inquired at the time of purchase but didn't think of it at the time.  TIA!

Gammy · Answer

Thanks Nancy! That is similar to what I have read, too.  I live in Florida, along the coast, and am hoping that these locally caught shrimp, although IFQ, have not been treated.  They DO have a light coating of ice, which I understand is to help keep them from developing freezer burn.  Time will tell!

Nancy · Answer

Don't know of any visual indicators, but everything I've read suggests most frozen shrimp has a preservative added.
However did find this Q-and-A about how to removed one of the most common ones.
Hope this helps.

https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-remove-sodium-tripolyphosphate-from-shrimp#:~:text=To%20remove%20sodium%20tripolyphosphate%20from%20shrimp%2C%20you%20can%20soak%20the,for%20about%2010%2D20%20minutes.

Is there an easy way to tell if frozen shrimp have been chemically treated?

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