Yesterday, International Food Safety Day was celebrated for the second time. Matís is a leader in chemical and microbiological research on food in Iceland. The company's strength lies in a broad base of capabilities, knowledge and infrastructure as well as connections with industry and the countryside.
Matís' research has been extensive, as the latest and best technology available at any given time has been used in different and varied projects. For example, emphasis has been placed on research into undesirable micro-organisms in food and processing environments, and analytical methods have been developed. Increased understanding of the nature, origin and transmission routes of pathogenic micro-organisms is important to ensure food safety and prevent epidemics and enhance consumer safety. Dissemination of knowledge to the public and the scientific community through the publication of promotional material and articles in journals is an important part of that work.
It is fundamental for Icelandic consumers to be able to trust that the food sold in this country does not threaten public health. It is important to be able to react quickly when food security is threatened. Due to the country's location, it must be ensured that the necessary research and security services are always available. This is especially true for microbiological analyzes where pathogenic micro-organisms can only be detected for a limited time. In the case of an international threat that is simultaneously prevailing in many countries, it is not possible to ensure that foreign laboratories prioritize Icelandic samples.
By implementing European food legislation, Iceland has committed itself to lifting the ban on imports of fresh produce. In order to ensure consumer safety, it is necessary to know the quality of food on the market, both those produced domestically and those imported into the country, including with regard to pathogenic micro-organisms.
Food security has become increasingly important in media coverage around the world in recent years. But there is a lot of contradictory information when it comes to food safety, such as seafood, such as wild fish, but also agricultural products, such as milk and eggs. Negative coverage of Icelandic food can in a short time destroy a positive image that has taken decades to build up and severely hurt Icelanders' export earnings and reduce production and sales in the domestic market. In such circumstances, it is necessary for the government to be able to respond immediately by having high-quality and well-defined scientific data available on undesirable substances and micro-organisms in Icelandic food in order to demonstrate safety and wholesomeness. Of course, the export of seafood and other foodstuffs also depends on the ability to demonstrate wholesomeness with regard to laws, regulations and requirements of buyers.
Reliable data is necessary at all times and therefore requires constant monitoring of the condition of Icelandic food and comparisons with comparable foreign foods sold in Iceland. Icelandic seafood, for example, has long been marketed with an emphasis on purity and wholesomeness. Claims about this, however, are insufficient, it is necessary to support them with reliable data from an independent party. Such data can facilitate the marketing and sale of Icelandic products in demanding foreign markets, as requirements for quality and safety are reflected in product prices.
