Testing shows Norwegian farmed salmon and trout remain within EU limits.
Norwegian farmed fish once again met food safety standards in 2024, with annual monitoring showing no exceedances of EU limit values for illegal or undesirable substances.
The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) analysed samples from 888 farmed fish, generating more than 30,000 test results. The monitoring, carried out on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, confirmed that residues of antibiotics, veterinary medicines and environmental pollutants were either absent or below regulatory thresholds.
The annual programme, required under both Norwegian and EU law, covers mainly farmed salmon but also other species including rainbow trout, halibut and cod. Samples are taken at all life stages, both at farms and at slaughterhouses. Tests cover illegal drugs, veterinary medicines, environmental pollutants and residues from smoking processes.
Martin Skaug, communications director at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said the results demonstrate the system’s value. “Once again, tests on Norwegian farmed fish show no exceedance of limits on harmful substances or pollutants. This gives consumers confidence that Norwegian farmed fish has a clean bill of health,” he said.
The IMR also tested for new categories of “contaminants of emerging concern” in 2024. While some were detected in samples, levels remain unassessed in terms of health risk. The IMR said further monitoring will continue, with data to be shared with the European Food Safety Authority.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority collects the samples, while the IMR carries out analysis and reports the findings. Annual monitoring is considered a key part of Norway’s aquaculture regulation framework and food safety management.
