New report: No unwanted residues in Norwegian farmed fish
2025.8.18
The annual monitoring of farmed fish by the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research shows that in 2024 there were no exceedances of EU maximum levels for either illegal substances or unwanted residues. The results are based on more than 1,000 liver and muscle samples from a total of 888 fish, including salmon, rainbow trout and cod.
The monitoring, carried out on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, is a mandatory part of both Norwegian and EU regulations to ensure that farmed fish on the market do not pose a health risk. The samples revealed no traces of illegal drugs or growth promoters. For approved veterinary medicines, such as anti-parasitic treatments, some residues were detected, but all were below established thresholds.
The analyses also covered environmental contaminants such as PFAS, mercury, lead and dioxins, none of which were found above the permitted levels.
In 2024, the monitoring programme was expanded to include several hundred new substances, among them pesticides and process-related contaminants from feed. A few of these were detected in low concentrations but with no known health implications. The data is being forwarded to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to build a stronger scientific basis for risk assessment.
At EFFOP – Marine Nutrients Europe, we welcome the Norwegian monitoring efforts, as they provide a solid, science-based foundation for assessing food safety. We would also like to stress that the development of aquaculture should be accompanied by a stronger focus on sustainable feed solutions. To reduce the carbon footprint, we recommend replacing plant-based feed ingredients with marine ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil.
Fishmeal and fish oil contains essential nutrients vital for growth, health and immune function in fish, including support of the overall animal welfare. At the same time, they contribute to a circular bioeconomy by efficiently utilising marine resources and supporting more sustainable food production.
As essential marine ingredients, fishmeal and fish oil connect the blue value chain, transforming marine resources into feed and nutritious foods with a lower climate impact, while at the same time promoting fish health and welfare.
