Recently, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) launched the fresh annual monitoring report. The report shows no exceedance of the EU's limit values for illegal and undesirable substances.
Samples are collected by The Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The IMR analyzes the samples and reports the findings. The monitoring covers 888 farmed fish, including rainbow trout, trout, halibut, and cod, generating more than 30,000 test results. The monitoring process covers a wide range of substances, including illegal substances, medicines and environmental pollutants. Sampling is divided into two parts: some samples are taken at fish farms and include fish at all life stages while other samples are processed farmed fish ready for the market.
According to the IMR, veterinary medicines, including antibiotics or drugs used against internal parasites, were not found in the sample. Lice treatments and environmental pollutants were below the limit values.
We’re delighted to see that once again, tests done on Norwegian farmed fish shows no sign of exceeding limits on harmful substances or pollutants. This shows that Norway’s rigorous monitoring scheme give consumers globally the confidence to eat farmed Norwegian fish that has a clean bill of health, says Martin Skaug, director of communications at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
The record of zero exceedances in Norwegian salmon is the best proof of seafood safety, a result made possible by Norway’s unique natural environment and world-leading aquaculture technology.
Norway has the world’s second-longest coastline, where the cold Arctic waters meet the warm Gulf Stream, creating natural and abundant conditions for salmon farming. Large-scale salmon aquaculture in Norway began in the 1970s. After more than half a century of development and innovation, Norway has established a world-leading salmon farming system. Through scientific and standardized management, it has effectively reduced environmental toxins and the misuse of medicines in the farming process, thereby minimizing the risk of harmful substances to the greatest extent.
Safeguarding Fish Health from the Source
In Norway, salmon farming has always adhered to strict health and safety standards. In the 1990s, with the joint efforts of Norwegian scientists and industry experts, the first fish vaccines were developed. As more effective vaccines against common fish diseases have been introduced, they have proven highly effective in preventing bacterial infections in salmon. Therefore, during the farming of Norwegian salmon, the usage rate of antibiotics is less than 1%. Over the past 20 years, food safety authorities both internationally and in Norway have not detected any antibiotic residues in Norwegian salmon.
Moreover, to ensure fish health, Norway’s regulation requires the salmon only fill 2.5% of the total fish pen Fresh flowing water constitutes the remaining 97.5%, allowing sufficient space for the salmon to move around during their growth. In addition, aquaculture sites must also be fallowed regularly to prevent the risk of infection. Aquaculture sites are inspected at least six times per year and visited by a fish health biologist twice a year to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Strict Regulations Ensure Food Safety
Norway places great importance on monitoring harmful substances in farmed salmon, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and heavy metals. The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES) conducts over 12,000 tests on farmed fish each year. In addition to strictly adhering to EU limits for PCBs, dioxins, and heavy metals, Norway also proactively carries out additional testing for other potentially harmful substances.
Notably, feed is the main source of these substances, and Norway has reduced their levels in farmed salmon well below EU limits. Moreover, the feed for Norwegian salmon is processed at high temperatures, ensuring the dietary safety of farmed salmon. Therefore, it is safe to eat Norwegian salmon raw without freezing.
Annual monitoring confirms the high quality and safety of Norwegian salmon. Norwegian Seafood will continue to provide Chinese consumers with safe raw salmon, bringing the natural taste of Norway to every table.
