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14.12.2018 - Foods

Ökotest: Salmon contaminated with ethoxyquin

In the December 2018 issue of Öko-Test, 20 smoked salmons were tested, including 5 wild salmons and 5 organic products. The following test parameters were examined or information was requested from the manufacturers:

• Ethoxyquin and degradation product Ethoxyquin-Dimer
  Ethoxyquin is a preservative used in fishmeal and fish oil. Ethoxyquin is suspected of being carcinogenic and may only be present in fish feed until 2020. Six out of 15 farmed salmons were contaminated with Ethoxyquin, including two organic smoked salmons.
• Nematodes
  The wild salmons were examined for nematodes. Generally, 20 nematodes per kg of wild salmon should not be exceeded. In one salmon, this value was significantly exceeded.
• Stock density in net pens
  In conventional farming, 25 kg of fish per cubic meter is allowed, while for organic salmon, 10 kg of fish per cubic meter is allowed.
• Mortality rate
  During the fattening period, a loss of no more than 10% is prescribed. One manufacturer reports a mortality rate of up to 20%.
• Fishing methods
  Three manufacturers of wild salmons use gillnets, while the other two use trolling lines. Both methods are considered low bycatch.
• Further test parameters or evaluation criteria: microbiological examination, sensory evaluation, residues of antibiotics, chemical treatments such as the use of pesticides against sea lice, use of GMO-free and certified fish feed

Frequent downgrades or unsatisfactory ratings occurred particularly due to:

• a significant infestation of wild salmon with nematodes
• detection of Ethoxyquin or Ethoxyquin-Dimer
• sensory deviations: Two salmons were found to have a "slightly fishy taste" and slight deviations in appearance were noted twice.
• advertising with self-evident facts: one wild salmon was advertised as "Guaranteed free from preservatives. Guaranteed free from artificial flavors."
• missing indication of the farming method "net pen" or "sea pen" for a farmed salmon
• missing indication of the FAO fishing area for a wild salmon
• points were deducted, among other things, if the fish species (Atlantic salmon) is only conditionally suitable for aquaculture farming, in cases of treatment with pesticides, too high stock density, or an excessive mortality rate during the fattening period.

For more detailed information about the test series, please refer to Öko-Test issue No. 12/2018.

At our Tentamus laboratories, we conduct chemical investigations regularly. We provide you with fast and reliable results.
Our customer advisors are very happy to answer any questions you may have.
 

Source: Öko-Test No. 012/2018 - www.oekotest.de