The Norwegian Food Safety Authority controls fish feed producers on three levels:
1. Approval and registration of producers and their own control systems
2. Revision of producers’ own control system
3. Inspection and spot checks where samples are collected
Monitoring of feedstuff supplements monitoring of salmon fillets etc., as fish feed is the main source of contaminants in farmed fish and consequently fillets from fish that have consumed the same feed will contain similar levels of nutrients and contaminants. The fish feed monitoring programme is part of the overall control system mentioned under point 3.
Sampling and analyses under the fish feedstuff monitoring programme
Samples are taken and analysed in accordance with a scheduled test plan each year. One sample is taken for every 100 tonnes of fish feed produced. The feed samples are analysed for prohibited feedstuff materials such as bone meal, blood meal and ARG-GMO modified material, in addition to microbiological parameters such as Salmonella sp., Enterobacteriaceae and mould.
The samples are also screened for undesirable substances such as mycotoxins, organic contaminants and heavy metals. Additives must be approved, and the additives analysed are colourants, antioxidants and essential micronutrients with an EU upper limit, including vitamins and micro minerals. In addition, analyses related to reliability in trade are carried out, including agreement between declared content and analysed content of ash, fat, protein and dry matter.
Laboratory analyses are carried out by NIFES in collaboration with public and private laboratories. The annual report, with the results of the monitoring and the enterprises monitored, is published on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (available in Norwegian only).
Composition of fish feed
The approximate composition of Norwegian fish feed is as follows: 33-56% protein, 12-40% fat, 12-15% carbohydrates and 5-10% water. The results from the monitoring programme show that feed materials used in Norwegian fish feed are in compliance with applicable regulations governing undesirable substances, prohibited feed materials, prohibited processed animal proteins and labelling requirements.
Content of undesirable substances in fish feed
The results from the monitoring programme have shown no use of GM feed materials in quantities that require declarations and that the feed additives used have been approved. The content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury has been shown to be low. The dioxin content of complete fish feed was found to be in the range 0.28-1.9 ng WHO-TEQ/kg feed, which is well below the maximum limit of 2.25 ng WHO-TEQ/kg. The ethoxyquin content was also found to be low, and acryl amid and meat and bone meal were not detected.
Monitoring has occasionally detected certain types of Salmonella in fish feedstuff. These Salmonella types do not become established in the fish and the risk of Salmonella in contaminated fish feed being passed on to the consumer via seafood products is considered negligible.
In conclusion, the results from the monitoring programme show that Norwegian fish feed products are produced in accordance with applicable legislation and do not represent a hazard to animal health, human health or the environment.
In the event of non-compliance with applicable legislation, the feed product in question would be withheld from the market and international notification issued via a separate alert system.