Farmed Fish Undesirable Substances Levels Low

NIFES annually monitors Norwegian farmed fish on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The report for 2010 shows that drug residues, heavy metals and other environmental pollutants are present at low concentrations.

The concentrations of most of the drugs that we analysed in farmed fish were below the limit of detection. No other undesirable substances, such as dioxins, cadmium, lead or mercury were found at concentrations above the maximum permitted limits. This is in agreement with previous findings, says NIFES research scientist Anne-Katrine Lundebye Haldorsen.

Residues of chloramphenicol were found in one out of 194 samples of farmed salmon. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that is not approved for use in food-producing animals, including fish. The source of contamination is not known, and no other illegal substances were found.

The analyses also showed that concentrations of the synthetic antioxidants ethoxyquin, BHT and BHA, which are used in fish feed ingredients, were lower than in previous years. The European Union has not set maximum residue levels for these substances in food of animal origin.

The 2010 report is based on analyses of approximately 90 substances (permitted and illegal compounds and environmental pollutants). The number of fish analysed for each substance ranged from 45 to 1585, depending on the substance analysed.

Since 2003, the monitoring programme has been carried out by NIFES in accordance with European Union legislation (Directive 96/23), which requires national authorities to survey the presence of undesirable substances in raw materials and food derived from animals. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for obtaining and and analysing samples in Norway, and NIFES is responsible for the programme involving farmed fish