Annual Monitoring Confirms the Safety of Norwegian Farmed Fish

The latest annual monitoring report from the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) has reaffirmed that Norwegian farmed fish remains a safe choice for consumers. The report shows no exceedance of the EU’s limit values for illegal and undesirable substances, providing reassurance about the health benefits of consuming seafood from Norway.

Key Findings from the 2024 Monitoring Report

In tests conducted in 2024, samples from 888 farmed fish were analyzed, resulting in over 30,000 test results confirming the safety of this seafood. Martin Skaug, director of communications at the Norwegian Seafood Council, expressed his satisfaction with these findings:

“We’re delighted to see that once again, tests done on Norwegian farmed fish show no sign of exceeding limits on harmful substances or pollutants. This confirms that Norway’s rigorous monitoring scheme gives consumers globally the confidence to eat farmed Norwegian fish that has a clean bill of health.”

How Annual Monitoring Works

• The annual monitoring is mandated by Norwegian regulations and EU laws.
• Samples are collected by The Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
• The IMR performs analyses on the collected samples and reports the findings.
• Tests primarily focus on farmed salmon, but other species like rainbow trout, halibut, and cod are also analyzed.
• Samples include fish at various life stages from fish farms and fish ready for market collected at slaughterhouses.
• The monitoring checks for illegal substances, medicines, environmental pollutants, and PAH residues from smoking processes for smoked fish.

Ensuring Fish Safety Each Year

Annually, the IMR conducts checks on Norwegian farmed fish on behalf of The Norwegian Food Safety Authority to ensure compliance with both legal and safety standards. This ongoing monitoring aims to verify that farmed fish products contain no harmful substances and that illegal substances remain undetected in farming practices.

Skaug stresses the importance of monitoring for regulatory compliance and understanding how environmental factors impact fish health:

“The annual monitoring and reporting process plays a crucial role in the Norwegian management and regulation of aquaculture, ensuring that the industry complies with legal requirements. It also allows us to gather information on how environmental factors may affect the fish.”

To access the full report from the IMR, click here (English).

Monitoring for Illegal Substances and Pollutants

The 2024 monitoring report indicated that no residues of illegal drugs were detected. The IMR tested for unauthorized drugs and anabolic substances but found no evidence of approved veterinary medicines or environmental pollutants above EU limits. However, some lice treatment residues were present, all within acceptable limits.

New Contaminants Under Review

This year’s monitoring also included testing for several new chemical compounds deemed “contaminants of emerging concern.” While some contaminants were detected in samples, there is insufficient data to ascertain their potential harms. Ongoing analysis will help determine any associated health risks.

Skaug elaborated on this approach:

“Incorporating new contaminants into our tests demonstrates how the IMR seeks to identify potential risks early. This proactive approach is essential for maintaining the safety and integrity of farmed fish.”

The newly identified substances will continue to be monitored, with findings reported to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Conclusion

Norwegian farmed fish remains a safe and healthy choice, backed by rigorous annual monitoring processes that ensure safety and compliance with both domestic and EU standards.

Source

Main Image © Norwegian Seafood Council

Caption: The annual monitoring report from the IMR shows compliance with EU’s limit values for illegal and undesirable substances.