News

Prohibited from selling homemade? Matís can help!

As has been stated recently, it is forbidden to sell any kind of food, cakes, cookies or jam, which is produced in an uncertified kitchen, and it is the food legislation that stipulates this.

Matís operates Matarsmiðjar in several places in the country and all Matísmiðjar Matís kitchens are certified and licensed by the health inspectorate of each area.

Matarsmiðjar Matís offers individuals, entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to engage in product development and start small-scale food production for a small rent. In this way, they save on investments in expensive equipment right from the start of operations. This provides a unique opportunity to continue testing oneself both in production and in the market. Special emphasis is placed on development in connection with local food and food tourism services.

Matís food factories are in Flúðir, Höfn in Hornafjörður and Egilsstaðir. Further information about Matís' Food Workshops can be found here.

News

Trans fatty acids disappear

Trans fatty acids should disappear in Icelandic food within a few months, says Ólafur Reykdal, food scientist and project manager at Matís.

From next Monday, it will be forbidden to market foods that contain more than two grams of trans fatty acids in every hundred grams of total fat. The trans fatty acids are mainly found in snacks, biscuits and deep-fried foods, but their consumption is considered to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

This is what Ólafur Reykdal, food scientist and project manager at Matís, says in an interview in a news item on Station 2. The interview can be seen here.

For further information Ólafur.

News

Survey of attitudes and fish consumption of Icelanders - winners

A survey of Icelanders' attitudes and consumption of fish began on 12 June and ended on 14 July. The survey, which is funded by the Icelandic Research Center, reached people aged 18-80 and was conducted online.

Participation invitations were sent to 4000 people who were randomly selected from the National Registry and the person in question was invited to take part in the survey. Participation in the survey did not live up to expectations, but great prizes were on offer for lucky participants.

Icelanders' fish consumption has long been the highest in the Nordic countries, and it has been linked to longevity and good health in Iceland. However, research has shown that fish consumption has fallen sharply in recent years, especially among young people.

The research is a joint project of the Icelandic Research Center, the University of Iceland and Matís.

Winners were drawn today and the winners are listed below. To get the prizes, please contact Dagnýja at 422-5179, weekdays between 9 and 15.

 Winnings:  Winner's code:
Hotel RangáSuite and breakfast for 2NVYGD
 World ClassAccess for 2 to the bathhouseBUGDU
 Dill RestaurantOut to dinner for 2IAEQT
 Noatún10,000 creditNSUKM
 Gallery fish2 x Out to eat for 2DCEPI
NQXPP
 The fish marketOut to lunchHINVK

News

Very good turnout at Matarsmiðja Matís in Flúðir

Matís' new food factory in Flúðir is fully booked, but there is always room for good ideas, says Vilberg Tryggvason, station manager. Six products are already on the market.

Among the products are several types of delicious spice puree from Kærleikskrásum og kruðeríi, and the jars have all the required markings, as they are made in Matarsmiðjan's kitchen, which is certified for human consumption. The ingredients are also within walking distance of the chef.

RÚV news can be found here.

For further information Vilberg Tryggvason.

News

A breakthrough in research on salmon in the sea - detailed coverage in Fréttablaðið

Many questions remain unanswered about Icelandic salmon stocks. One of them has been man-made salmon depletion during its stay in the ocean. A revolution in genetic engineering has now brought scientists closer to the answer. Kristin Ólafsson at Matís participates in this research and his doctoral studies will focus on the Icelandic part of this European project.

DNA analysis is used, among other things, in aquaculture to select fish for breeding. This can speed up breeding and increase the conservation of genetic variation. In wild strains, genetic analysis is used to study strains and strain units. These include salmon, cod, lobster, herring, sandeel, ling, etc. species. Genetic analysis can be used in traceability research and species analysis, whether it is eggs, juveniles, fillets from a counter or canned food.

Genetic analysis has been used in human genetics in recent decades, but this technology is now increasingly used in zoology and is especially important in research on wild marine stocks. It is also an important goal to develop phenotypic genetic markers, but good genetic markers are the basis for successful research of this kind.

Matís is the only company in Iceland that has systematically built up genetic analysis of animals.

Fréttablaðið's coverage can be found here.

For further information Kristinn Ólafsson.

Reports

Utilization of raw materials from the plant and animal kingdom in fish feed

Published:

10/07/2011

Authors:

Ásbjörn Jónsson, Jón Árnason, Ragnheiður Þórarinsdóttir, Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir

Supported by:

Vocational Training Fund of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security

Utilization of raw materials from the plant and animal kingdom in fish feed

Feed costs in aquaculture are generally around 50‐70% of operating costs and a large proportion of raw materials in feed are imported. The purpose of this report is to compile information on the possibility of utilizing domestic raw materials used in agriculture and fisheries for aquaculture feed. It is considered that the raw materials are generally used for aquaculture and the summary is not limited to individual species. It is possible to use by-products from the fisheries sector as feed in aquaculture, but by-products from the plant kingdom need to be treated in order to reduce / eliminate a high proportion of fiber and increase the protein content. By-products of the plant kingdom may be used as food for invertebrates, bacteria and fungi, thus producing a protein-rich product suitable for fish feed.

Feed cost in aquaculture is about 50‐70% of the total cost, and most of the feed is imported. The aim of this report is to gather information about utilizing by-products from agriculture and fishing industry as a feed in aquaculture. By-products from the fishing industry can be used as feed in aquaculture but it is necessary to lower the level of fiber and increase protein in by-products from agriculture. This can possibly be done by using the by-products as feed for invertebrates, bacteria and mushrooms and produce protein rich feed for aquaculture.

View report

News

Matís with a presentation at Landsmót hestamanna

The excellent Landsmót Hestamanna was held at Vindheimamelar in pleasant weather the week of June 26 - July 3. It is a matter of people that the whole framework has been successful and the choice of horses has been good. Matís gave a presentation at Landsmót where Guðbjörg Ólafsdóttir presented, among other things, the genetic analysis of horses and dogs.

Genetic testing of animals is not common in Iceland and Matís is the only company that has systematically built up genetic testing of animals in this country. For example, Matís inherits all the horses for WorldReceived, the original book of the Icelandic horse, but WorldReceived collects information about Icelandic horses within the countries FEIF (International Association of Icelandic Horse Owners) and they are accessible on the web.

Landsmót 2011

WorldReceived is a joint project of the Icelandic Farmers' Association and FEIF to develop a single and recognized central database on the Icelandic horse anywhere in the world. In the WorldFeng is to find extensive information on the three hundred thousand Icelandic horses and their number is increasing every day. For example, you could find information about pedigree, offspring, breeding judgments, owners, breeders, breeding evaluations, colors, micro-marks and more. WorldFengur also contains about 5,000 photos of breeding horses.

Matís' goal is to use genetic engineering for various types of DNA analysis, such as horse analysis as described above. The projects include genetic analysis of useful and wild strains and data processing, as well as sequencing of the genetic material of organisms and the search for new genetic boundaries and the development of genetic kits.

DNA analysis is used, among other things, in aquaculture to select fish for breeding. This can speed up breeding and increase the conservation of genetic variation. In wild strains, genetic analysis is used to study strains and strain units. These include salmon, cod, lobster, herring, sandeel, ling, etc. species. Genetic analysis can be used in traceability research and species analysis, whether it is eggs, juveniles, fillets from a counter or canned food.

Genetic analysis has been used in human genetics in recent decades, but this technology is now increasingly used in zoology and is especially important in research on wild marine stocks. It is also an important goal to develop phenotypic genetic markers, but good genetic markers are the basis for successful research of this kind.

For further information Anna K. Daníelsdóttir, Head of Security, Environment and Genetics.

Reports

Biodiesel from photosynthetic organisms / Biodiesel from photosynthetic organisms

Published:

01/07/2011

Authors:

Sólveig K. Pétursdóttir, Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson

Supported by:

Reykjavík Energy's Environment and Energy Fund (UOOR)

Contact

Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson

Strategic Scientist

gudmundo@matis.is

Biodiesel from photosynthetic organisms / Biodiesel from photosynthetic organisms

The aim of the project was to isolate and cultivate photosynthetic microorganisms that can utilize greenhouse gases from the emissions of geothermal power plants, ie. hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), while delivering usable products that could potentially be used in biodiesel and feed. Two groups were mainly examined: First, photosynthetic bacteria that utilize H2S and bind CO2 but do not tolerate oxygen (anoxygenic). Second, photosynthetic algae that bind carbon from carbon dioxide and release oxygen (oxygenic). The project was planned to take two years and received funding from UOOR until the previous year. Attempts to isolate and cultivate photosensitive, H2S-utilizing, CO2-binding bacteria were unsuccessful, so the research material was mainly microalgae and bluish-green bacteria that were isolated in the vicinity of geothermal power plants. Species found were 31 in total and the populations grew at different temperatures. Growth rate (g / L / day) was estimated for institutions and also their pigment content (chlorophyll and carotene). The "Nile Red" method for estimating the fat content of microalgae and bluish-green bacteria was tested on several strains, but requires a method development that is planned for the second year of the project. Further attempts to isolate photosensitizing bacteria using H2S are also on the agenda for later years.

The aim of the project was to isolate and cultivate photosynthetic microorganisms able to utilize emission gases from geothermal power plants, ie hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and return products which may be used in biodiesel production and feed. Two groups were of particular interest: First, anoxygenic, photosynthetic bacteria utilizing H2S and assimilating CO2; and second, oxygenic, photosynthetic CO2 assimilating microalgae and cyanobacteria. The project was planned for two years of which the first year, described in this report, was funded by UOOR. Attempts made to isolate and cultivate photosynthetic, H2S utilizing, CO2 assimilating micro ‐ organisms were not successful, thus the research material of the project consisted of microalgae and cyanobacteria strains which were isolated from the close vicinities of geothermal power plants. These consisted of 31 species growing at different temperatures. Growth rate (g / L / day) was estimated for the strains as well as estimates of chlorophyll and carotenoids content. A method for estimates of fat content in microalgae ie the Nile Red method was tested on several microalgae and cyanobacteria species. Further development of this method is needed and planned for the next year of the project. Further attempts for isolation of photosynthetic, anoxygenic bacteria species is also planned for the next year of the project.

Report closed

View report

News

The first conference on environmental pollution in Iceland

The first conference on environmental pollution in Iceland was held in Reykjavík last. winter. The aim of the conference was to present the work and results of the main parties working to assess pollution in Iceland. It was emphasized that all monitoring and research parties would contribute to the conference.

The conference was divided into two parts. Before noon, emphasis was placed on monitoring environmental pollution in Icelandic nature. At the end of the lunch, there were presentations of research on pollution in the air, uterus, soil, humans and animals. The arrangement of the conference was that in each section, several presentations from submitted abstracts were selected, with an emphasis on monitoring on the one hand and research on the other. These presentations provided an overview of the state of affairs in Iceland today. Great emphasis was also placed on posters where researchers were given the opportunity to present their projects. Conference guests were given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the various monitoring and research projects on these posters and to discuss the projects in person with researchers during coffee breaks and poster presentations.

A very powerful and interesting conference proceedings were published for this event and the publication can be found here.
The organizing committee of the first conference on environmental pollution in Iceland consisted of the following individuals:

Gunnar Steinn Jónsson Environment Agency, gunnar@ust.is
Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, Matís, hronn.o.jorundsdottir@matis.is
Taru Lehtinen HÍ, tmk2@hi.is

The Scientific Committee consisted of: Hrund Ólöf Andradóttir, University of Iceland, Taru Lehtinen, University of Iceland, Kristín Ólafsdóttir, University of Iceland, Gunnar Steinn Jónsson, ICT, Hermann Sveinbjörnsson, Ministry of the Environment, Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, Matís, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Matís, Hrönn Jörundsdóttir, Matís.

News

Fisheries Competition 2011

You could be on your way to a Nordic tournament where the total value of the prizes is almost 400 thousand. ISK.

The aim is to hold, for the first time in Iceland, a professional competition in the processing and presentation of fish products in the sales tables of fishmongers and supermarkets. Matís will manage the competition, which is an individual competition. If sufficient participation is achieved, a preliminary competition will be held at the end of August at Matís' headquarters, Vínlandsleið 12 Reykjavík and a final competition in mid-September. The aim is for the winner, together with those who end up in second place, to continue and compete for Iceland in a Nordic professional competition called "Nordic Championship in Seafood“. The winner of that competition will receive the title of Nordic Champion and receive a trophy which he will return a year later. The top three prize winners will receive cash prizes of NOK 10,000, NOK 5,000 and NOK 3,000 as well as certificates of recognition.

The fishmongers in the document below will receive this letter. If you know of a likely participant who is not on this list then please provide information along the way.

All those who consider themselves to have sufficient skills and knowledge of the subject are allowed to participate. Interested parties, please contact Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, gunnthorunn.einarsdottir@matis.is or Óla Þór Hilmarsson, oli.th.hilmarsson@matis.is.

Further information on the rules of the competition can be found in the document here.

EN