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Sensory evaluation is a systematic evaluation of the smell, taste, appearance and texture of food. In sensory evaluation, the human senses, i.e. visual, olfactory, taste, hearing and touch senses used to assess food quality.

Sensory evaluation in the Icelandic food industry has been conducted in an organized manner; especially as a factor in quality control. The fishing industry, meat processing and the dairy industry have made the most of these methods. Sensory evaluation in the Icelandic fishing industry has a rich tradition. Previously, all fish was evaluated for freshness and priced accordingly.

Sensory evaluation is a systematic evaluation of the smell, taste, appearance and texture of food.

In sensory evaluation, the human senses, i.e. visual, olfactory, taste, hearing and touch senses used to assess food quality. Sensory evaluation in the Icelandic food industry has been conducted in an organized manner; especially as a factor in quality control. The fishing industry, meat processing and the dairy industry have made the most of these methods. Sensory evaluation in the Icelandic fishing industry has a rich tradition. Previously, all fish was evaluated for freshness and priced accordingly.

An essential element of quality control
The need for organized sensory evaluation of raw materials in the purchase of raw materials and production and evaluation of products is growing both due to the demands of buyers from abroad and no less because food companies are adopting quality management. Systematic methods of sensory evaluation and recording of sensory evaluation results on raw materials, production and products are an essential part of quality control.

Milk and dairy products are a sensitive product and the use of sensory evaluation in quality control has a rich tradition. All meat in slaughterhouses is evaluated in quality categories according to construction type, meat filling and fat. For each type of meat, there are special rules for quality assessment. This assessment is first and foremost a visual and contact assessment of the meat assessor, even though he has a device such as a fat meter to rely on.

An important part of Matís' operations
Sensory evaluation is an important part of Matís' operations and is also mainly used in quality control and product development at Icelandic food companies. For many years, Matís has assisted companies in developing sensory evaluation, provided advice in sensory evaluation and carried out shelf life research in cases where sensory evaluation is a very important factor.

Sensory evaluation has been used in various research projects, both domestic and foreign. Matís' staff has provided theoretical and practical instruction in sensory assessment at the Department of Food Science at the University of Iceland and at the fisheries department of the University of Akureyri's resources department. Matís' staff has also taught sensory assessment at the United Nations Fisheries Academy since 1998. Matís has also held various sensory assessment courses for employees of fish processing companies and other food companies.

Perfect facilities at Matís
Matís has very perfect sensory assessment facilities, with a special sensory evaluation room with separate booths, perfect lighting and ventilation. There are also good facilities for handling food and preparing samples and this is very useful for seminars and teaching.

Development of new methods
In recent years, work has been done on the development of new sensory evaluation methods, especially for sensory evaluation of whole fish. The method that fish researchers in Europe agree will be most suitable for fresh fish food is the so-called QIM quality factor method. This method is very suitable for teaching and training and coordination of assessments and it should be noted that in 2003 all fish market staff in this country were trained in this method.

Matís is a partner in QIM-EUROFISH, which works to harmonize sensory assessment methods for fish. Finally, Matís also participates in the European Sensory Network, which is a collaborative platform for universities, institutions and companies in Europe in the field of sensory assessment.

For further information Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir

As usual, the Agricultural Research Council was very well attended, as it is one of the main forums for agriculture to exchange views and learn about everything possible in the field.

The congress is a collaborative project of 9 institutions and companies related to agriculture in one way or another and Matís is one of them and is involved in costs as well as the preparation and organization of the congress.

This time the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull was in focus, but in a seminar about it, the impact on society, farming, wildlife and vegetation will be discussed. There was an extensive program on horse breeding and horsemanship and we looked to the future regarding forestry in this country. Traditional seminars on animal husbandry, agriculture, product utilization, facilities and monitoring were in place. Aquatic life and fish farming were described in a broad context.

Lectures by Matís employees:

• Is your horse intelligent? Genetic analysis and breeding of domestic animals Alexandra M. Klonowski, Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, Kristinn Ólafsson, Ragnar Jóhannsson, Sigurlaug Skírnisdóttir and Steinunn Magnúsdóttir, Matís ohf.
• Can the fisheries model work in agriculture? Jónas R. Viðarsson and Valur N. Gunnlaugsson, Matís ohf.
• Weaknesses in food and rapid diagnosis of food pathogens Sveinn H. Magnússon, Eyjólfur Reynisson, Árni R. Rúnarsson and Viggó Þór Marteinsson, Matís ohf.
• Opportunities for improved utilization among farmers with small food production Guðjón Þorkelsson, Matís ohf.
• Quality barley for food production Ólafur Reykdal, Matís ohf., Jónatan Hermannsson and Þórdís Anna Kristjánsdóttir, Agricultural University of Iceland.
• Industrial engineering and milk processing in Skagafjörður's lunch box Sigríður Sigurðardóttir, Matís ohf.
• Utilization of low heat energy for the cultivation of fish and other organisms Ragnar Jóhannsson, Matís ohf.

For further information Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, marketing director of Matís.

Recently, two articles were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals in which Matís' employees are co-authors.

Another deals with the effects of bacterial treatment on the early stages of cod farming (here) and the other on the effects of different bacterial therapies in cod farming on different stages of development of cod juveniles (here).

For further information Hélène Liette Lauzon.

Matís 2010 annual report has now been published. An electronic version can be found on Matís' website.

Matís 2010 annual report in electronic form can be found here.

Just now, the first meeting of a new and extensive multinational project that the European Union has decided to support for three years was coming to an end. EcoFishMan.

The meeting has, among other things, discussed whether a common fisheries policy Of the European Union has delivered the expected results. Suffice it to say that close to 90% fish stocks in the jurisdiction of EU countries are overfished and a third of the stocks are in danger of extinction because they fail to regenerate. Discards are a major problem, for example it is estimated that 30-55% cod catches from the North Sea are discarded.

The European Union expects the EcoFishMan project to develop a new methodology that will be useful in changing and reforming its fisheries management system.

Following on from this introductory meeting, emphasis will be placed on co-operation with fishermen, fishing and processing and on the utilization of information from electronic catch diaries. The aim of the project is to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and economic management with a special emphasis on traceability and to minimize discards.  One of the goals of the EcoFishMan project is to analyze what has been successful in Icelandic fisheries management and pass on that experience. At the same time, there are plans for more co-operation with those who work in fishing and processing in the fishing industry.

Among the Icelandic parties that will be approached for professional knowledge are  Directorate of Fisheries, Association of Fish Processing Plants, National Association of Icelandic Fishermen, Marine Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, National Association of Small Boat Owners and several Icelandic companies that produce technical equipment for the fishing industry, such as Trackwell, Vaki and Marel.

Those who attended this first meeting included members from Matís, Eurofish (DK), CETMAR (ES), The Bitland Enterprise (FO), the University of Iceland, the National Research Council / Institute of Marine Sciences (IT), Nofima Marin (NO) , University of Tromsø (NO), Centro de Ciências do Mar (PT), IPIMAR (PT), MAPIX technologies Ltd (UK), Marine Scotland Science (UK) and Seafish (UK).

For further information Sveinn Margeirsson CEO of Matís.

News from Stöðvar 2's newsroom from the meeting can be found here.

The 2011 Agricultural Research Council will be held from 10 to 11 March at Hótel Saga. The congress is a collaborative project of 9 institutions related to agriculture in one way or another.

This time the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull will be in focus, but in a seminar about it, the impact on society, farming, wildlife and vegetation will be discussed. There will be an extensive program on horse breeding and equestrianism and we will look to the future regarding forestry in this country. Traditional seminars on animal husbandry, agriculture, product utilization, facilities and monitoring will be in place. Aquatic life and fish farming will be discussed in a broad context.

Matís plays a leading role in a new and extensive multinational project that the 7th Framework Program for Research and Development in Europe (FP7) has decided to support for three years, EcoFishMan. The inaugural meeting of the project will take place at Matís on 8 and 9 March.

The EU's grant amounts to a total of EUR 3 million, equivalent to about ISK 475 million. Of this, Matís' share is a total of 450,000 or the equivalent of over ISK 70 million. That EcoFishMan The project involves a total of 13 institutions, companies and universities in eight European countries, including the University of Iceland and the University of Tromsø in Norway. Dr. Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, division manager at Matís, is project manager and dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, Matís' CEO, will be with her on the project's scientific committee.

The European Union's Common Fisheries Policy does not deliver the desired results. Suffice it to say that close to 90% fish stocks in the jurisdiction of EU countries are overfished and a third of the stocks are in danger of extinction because they fail to regenerate. Discards are a major problem, for example it is estimated that 30-55% cod catches from the North Sea are discarded.

The European Union expects the EcoFishMan project to develop a new methodology that will be useful in changing and reforming its fisheries management system. Emphasis is placed on co-operation with fishermen, fishing and processing and on the utilization of information from electronic catch diaries. The aim of the project is to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and economic management with a special emphasis on traceability and to minimize discards. One of the goals of the EcoFishMan project is to analyze what has been successful in Icelandic fisheries management and pass on that experience. At the same time, there are plans for more co-operation with those who work in fishing and processing in the fishing industry.

Among the Icelandic parties that will be approached for professional knowledge are  Directorate of Fisheries, Association of Fish Processing Plants, National Association of Icelandic Fishermen, Marine Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, National Association of Small Boat Owners and several Icelandic companies that produce technical equipment for the fishing industry, such as Trackwell, Vaki and Marel.

For further information Sveinn Margeirsson CEO of Matís.

Several new brochures have now been printed and electronic versions are available on Matís' website.

Brochures that can be downloaded free of charge at the following URLs:

• DNA research on marine mammals (2010)
• Is your dog intelligent? (2011)
• The weakest in food (2010)

The booklet "Valuable facts about Icelandic seafood" has also been published, but that booklet should not be overlooked by anyone who sells Icelandic seafood, as the figures in the booklet show that Icelandic seafood is clean and unpolluted. The brochure costs ISK 3500 / pc. and can be accessed by sending an email to matis@matis.is.

A sample of "Valuable facts about Icelandic seafood" can be found here.

Breeding of bait fish (Tilapia) was discussed in Landan recently. Sunday. There, Ragnar Jóhannsson, director of Matís, discussed the possibilities of Icelanders in the industry.

The whole episode can be seen here (the farming discussion comes first) and a summary of the episode can be found here.

At Matís, we work hard on advances in aquaculture. An important factor in this context is research in favor of aquaculture, which aims to improve the quality and increase the efficiency of the industry. The research is conducted in close collaboration with companies, universities and domestic researchers in order to build up the broadest knowledge base that is useful to both Icelandic and foreign aquaculture companies.

The aim of Matís 'and partners' research is to improve the performance, growth and quality of marine fish in the early stages of aquaculture, to develop older and new technologies to increase efficiency in the production of the main commercial species in aquaculture and to find ways to reduce feed costs in aquaculture without compromising the growth of the fish or the quality of the products.

Feed costs are more than half of the operating costs of aquaculture, so it is important to look for ways to reduce them without affecting the growth and health of the fish. Feed research also contributes to the development of more targeted nutrition based on the needs of the fish. Great emphasis is placed on prevention in the first stage of farming, which is the main bottleneck in sea fish farming, and they have a great influence on the life expectancy of the larvae, and thus on the success of the farming.

The main emphasis has been on the use of new lighting technology to delay / exclude puberty during cod rearing. The development of cod farming has been based on knowledge gained from the farming of other species, but it is clear that farming technology is an important focus area for cod farming.

For more information know Ragnar Jóhannsson, director of Matís.

Recently, an article about pelagic fish appeared in Euro Fish Magazine. Ásbjörn Jónsson from Matís is one of the authors.

The article can be seen here.

Pelagic fish include some of the most common fish species caught, such as sardines, mackerel, herring, capelin and blue whiting. Pelagic species are rather few, but despite this the catch is often greater than from other fish species combined. Pelagic fish are often rather small, although larger species also belong to this category, such as swordfish and tuna.

For further information Ásbjörn Jónsson at Matís.