Farmed fish is one of Norway’s most important exports, and its reputation depends on strict food safety rules. Under both Norwegian law and EU regulations, fish farmers must prove their products are safe for consumers.
Every year, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (HI) runs an extensive testing programme for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The goal is clear: make sure farmed fish contain no harmful levels of drugs or pollutants — and that banned substances are entirely absent.
No breaches of EU limits
In 2024, scientists at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research tested more than 1,000 liver and muscle samples from 888 farmed fish.
The work generated over 30,000 results for banned and unwanted substances. None exceeded EU safety limits, according to marine scientist Annette Bernhard from HI. The fish tested included salmon, rainbow trout, halibut, and cod.
What the scientists looked for
The study, carried out by HI researchers, checked for illegal drugs such as anabolic agents and found none.
They also screened fish ready for market for approved veterinary medicines and pollutants. Traces of sea-lice treatments — emamectin, diflubenzuron, cypermethrin, and deltametrin — were found, but all were well below safety limits.
No antibiotics or medicines for internal parasites were detected.
Pollutants like PFAS, dioxins, PCBs, mercury, lead, and cadmium were also tested safely below EU thresholds.
HI researchers examined thirteen samples of smoked farmed fish for PAHs — chemicals that can form during smoking, grilling, or frying. All were below EU maximum limits.
New substances under the spotlight
In 2024, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research expanded its testing to include “emerging contaminants” — chemicals that might be harmful but are still not thoroughly studied.
These included pesticides, persistent pollutants, feed-processing by-products, feed additives, aromatic hydrocarbons, a net-impregnation chemical, and mould toxins.
Some were found in small amounts, including new brominated flame retardants, chlorinated paraffins, and a feed additive.
The data will be sent to the European Food Safety Authority to help assess potential health risks in the future.