Category: News

Matís, Matvælastofnun (MAST) and the Ministry of Industry and Innovation yesterday invited a consultation meeting on safe food | Consumer protection and business interests

Safe foods | Consumer protection and business interests

The meeting held at Sjávarútvegshúsið Skúlagata 4 was extremely good, as well as the same kind of meeting that Matvælastofnun offered in the afternoon in Selfoss. Both meetings were full of people and a great and good discussion ensued. The purpose of these consultation meetings was to present the Safe Food project and discuss the state of food safety in Iceland.

The Safe Foods project was originally part of the IPA plan for Iceland's accession negotiations with the EU, but has now been launched in the form of a bilateral project between the German and Icelandic governments. The status of food security in Iceland will be discussed in the light of being able to sell food both domestically and on the international market. Meeting guests will be given the opportunity to present their views and questions in a panel discussion at the end of the meeting.

The Safe Food project is intended to ensure food safety and protect Icelandic consumers. The project enables the Icelandic authorities, the Food Administration and the municipal health inspectorate to better enforce legislation on food safety and consumer protection. Safe food is developed in collaboration with Matís, Matvælastofnun, the Ministry of Industry and Innovation, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) in Germany.

The Safe Foods project will undoubtedly be a great springboard for Icelandic consumers, regulators and not least for producers and retailers. Consumers want more information about the substances that are and are not in the foods they consume and manufacturers and retailers also want this information to further increase consumer confidence in their products.

Further information can be found in the document Safe foods | Actions and yields and at Margrét Björk Sigurðardóttir from Matvælastofnun (MAST) and at Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir from Matís.

The Future Days of the Universities 2014 will be held on February 5 in Sólinn at Reykjavík University between 11-16.

As usual, Matís will have a large booth and will present his activities throughout the day.

Further information can be found at Framadaga website and at Jón Haukur Arnarson, Matís' human resources manager or Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, Matís' marketing manager.

About Framadaga

Framadagar is an annual event in university life where some of the country's leading companies present their activities to university students. The AIESEC student organization organizes Future Days every year. The Future Days of the Universities in 2014 will be held at Reykjavík University on Wednesday 5 February from 11-16. Students from all universities in the country come to the place to get to know the human resources managers of the country's main companies - and hopefully if they are lucky - apply for a job.

Future days 2014

This year, 60 exciting companies have announced their arrival and many lectures have been scheduled. Here you can view the brochure Framadaga 2014.

The co-operation agreement is based on a draft agreement (MoU) signed by the United Nations University-Fisheries Training Program and Nha Trang University (NTU) on 30 May 2013. Matís and Nha Trang University's Food Science Agreement stipulates a five-year co-operation (2013 -2018).

The NTU Food Science Department was established in Vietnam in 1959. Over the past 50 years, the department has built up extensive research and teaching expertise and has graduated more than 5,000 food engineers, more than 1,000 food scientists (BSc) and hundreds of technical experts in fisheries and food science. NTU collaborates with over 300 companies in Vietnam and the university's contribution to the development of food production in the country is very large.

NTU's Food Science Department has about 60 employees, of which 90% have a master's or doctoral degree. Many of them have been educated in Japan, France, Iceland, Norway, Australia, Russia and beyond. There are now more than 3,000 students at the Faculty of Food Science at all levels, from students in technological development to doctoral students.

Matís is very pleased to announce a collaboration with Nha Trang University in the knowledge that the collaboration will be successful.

For more information Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís.

Stefán B. Sigurðsson, Rector of the University of Akureyri, Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, and Ögmundur Knútsson, President of the School of Business and Natural Sciences at the University of Akureyri, recently signed a co-operation agreement.

The agreement lays the foundation for further strengthening of research and education in fisheries sciences, food sciences and biotechnology as well as collaboration in other areas of teaching and research, with the aim of being at the forefront in Iceland in the fields related to fisheries sciences and biotechnology, both taught at the University of Akureyri. One of the aims of the agreement is to strengthen teaching and research in the field of fisheries science, food science and biotechnology, among other things through access to international funds and co-operation in the field of utilization of Arctic resources.

Its goal is also to increase the number of people studying and researching in these fields, integrate research and development projects in the field of sustainable resource utilization, processing technology, biotechnology, food safety and public health, to mobilize more Matís employees in teaching at the University of Akureyri and give Matís employees the opportunity to to receive a professional academic evaluation from the University of Akureyri / School of Business and Natural Sciences and the possibility of visiting teaching positions, as articles will be published under the auspices of both parties, as well as sharing facilities, facilities and equipment.

The University of Akureyri is an Icelandic research university that takes an active part in international research. The university has about 1600 students in undergraduate and graduate studies, in on-site and distance learning. Fisheries science has been taught at the University of Akureyri since 1990 and biotechnology since 2002. The subjects are now taught at the Faculty of Natural Resources and the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Akureyri, which has also offered master's studies in fisheries and resource studies. Due to the nature of the study, teaching in fisheries science has from the beginning been carried out in collaboration with domestic fisheries companies and companies in related disciplines.

Matís is the largest research institute in the country that conducts research and innovation in the field of food and biotechnology for the benefit of the economy, public health and food and food security. Matís plays an extensive role in services in the field of research, education and innovation. Emphasis has been placed on meeting the needs of food producers and entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the education system, among other things in the form of practical projects with the participation of students.

The picture shows Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, Ögmundur Knútsson, President of the School of Business and Natural Sciences at the University of Akureyri, Rannveig Björnsdóttir, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Natural Resources at the University of Akureyri and Director of Matís, and Stefán B. Sigurðsson, Rector of the University of Akureyri.

_{News written by Hjalti Þór Sveinsson and first published on the website of the University of Akureyri, www.unak.is.}

Helga Franklínsdóttir gives a lecture on her project for a master's degree in food science. The project is called "Application of waterjet cutting in processing of cod and salmon fillets"

When does this event start: January 30, 2014 - 3:30 p.m.
Further location: Matís, Vínlandsleið 12, 113 Reykjavík

Abstract

The aim of this project was to create knowledge about water cutting in fish that could be used in the design of FleXicut. FleXicut is a water cutting technology developed for whitefish with a focus on cod that is able to cut different patterns and curved cuts. The relationship between water-cutting conditions, species, physical properties and temperature in fillets was investigated. Cod and salmon fillets were tested using different pre-cooling methods and fillets either with or without skin. The main conditions for a good cut were the quality and purity of the cut to determine the range of the best cutting conditions. The results showed that the cutting speed is most important when it comes to the quality of fish fillets, as the salt in the fillets increases with increasing cutting speed. The connective tissue was the main problem in the tail trim, as the incision could not be penetrated, especially for cod fillets. The subcooling before the cut showed a better cut and less salinity in the fillets. This was more important for salmon fillets compared to cod fillets where the quality of the cut through the skin and tail trim was much better.

Keywords: Water cutting, subcooling, X-ray, cutting speed, pressure, tip size, saddle, connective tissue.

Supervisors

Sigurjón Arason, professor of martial arts at the University of Iceland and Matís' chief engineer, dr. Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, project manager of Marel and Ásbjörn Jónsson, project manager of Matís

Examiner

Dr. Björn Margeirsson, research director of Promens Dalvík and Promens Tempra.

International co-operation is extensive in Matís' operations. The company has, despite its young age, established a connection and reputation abroad. Matís has purposefully and consciously increased its emphasis on foreign projects, as they strengthen operations in this country, strengthen Icelandic scientific work in general, strengthen the economy and ultimately benefit the general Icelander in the form of more and more diverse employment opportunities and opportunities for the country.

Icelanders pay a considerable amount to joint research funds in Europe, and with foreign scientific collaboration, that funding can in fact be recovered, with a good return if done well. The basis for this is a strong core of scientists and it is present in Matís. We are increasingly finding that we are being looked at by foreign parties, as the results of our foreign co-operation projects have been good. We have many desirable things to offer and we can strengthen Iceland's position with the knowledge we acquire through this co-operation. Through international projects, we gain access to facilities we would not otherwise have and a connection to expertise in specific areas.

Seventh European Research Program (FP7)

It is difficult to discuss partners and project collaboration without mentioning Matís' role in European research programs. During the year, Matís participated in 22 projects of the 7th research program. Few companies of the size of Matís in Iceland or abroad can boast of such.

In addition to participating in these projects, the company is the supervisor and leads six of these 22 projects. Such supervision of projects, let alone in this number of projects, is only given to companies that are highly valued at the international level and meet all the requirements that powerful research companies must meet, in terms of staff skills and knowledge, facilities and equipment for research and not least in terms of responsible operation. The total value for Matís in 2013 in projects related to the research plans is around and over ISK 300 million. It is clear that such funds strengthen the position of Icelandic research and scientific work to a great extent.

Here is a list of projects in which Matís is involved and related to the 7th European Research Program. Tasks marked with an asterisk are projects where Matís is in charge of the project:

With increased international scientific collaboration, it can be said that a leaf is broken. Icelanders have known about the export of goods for centuries, and it is worth mentioning the fishing industry. This includes both the export of raw materials and also more processed products. In our scientific work, it can be said that we are moving from the export of raw materials to the utilization of Icelandic knowledge of food production, the nation's basic industry through the centuries. Because we turn "knowledge raw materials" into an even more valuable product that we can both use in further efforts abroad and also here at home, for development in food production. In addition to us at Matís, other domestic researchers, institutions, universities and companies benefit from this.

Matís' structure and the company's priorities enable us to advance abroad. We have expertise in many aspects of the fisheries sector and we can also mention unique conditions for biotechnology research in this country due to, for example, the thermal areas, glaciers and nature both on land and in the sea. Many industries could therefore benefit from the foreign work that Matís has started, but not least the opportunities are clearest in the fisheries sector. New emphases in this field include market-related projects and emphases related to environmental issues and environmental impact. We Icelanders certainly have the opportunity to create an even stronger position in the world's product markets with our fish products. Matís International Work will help in that work in the coming years.

A similar story is being told about Icelandic agriculture. This field will open up opportunities in the near future abroad, not least with increased scientific and research work. Matís also looks at their possibilities.

Our scientists perceive that abroad we have a reputation to build on. Not just because we are Icelanders but because we can, know and know.

A "kick-off" meeting was recently held in Iceland for a new project, EnRichMar, led by Matís and funded for two years through the European Union's 7th Framework Program. In addition to Matís, the Icelandic companies Grímur kokkur, which produces prepared seafood dishes, and Marinox, which produces bioactive substances from seaweed, participate in the project.

A "kick-off" meeting was recently held in Iceland for a new project, EnRichMar, led by Matís and funded for two years through the European Union's 7th Framework Program. In addition to Matís, the Icelandic companies Grímur kokkur, which produces prepared seafood dishes, and Marinox, which produces bioactive substances from seaweed, participate in the project. The project also includes the food companies Ruislandia in Finland and Den Eelder in the Netherlands, followed by BioActive Foods in Norway, which produces omega powders and oils, and the research institutes VTT in Finland, TNO in the Netherlands and the University of Milan in Italy.

The idea for the EnRichMar project has developed through a collaboration between Matís and Gríms kokk in the Westman Islands since 2008. A project was started that aimed to develop products that were fortified with biomaterials from Icelandic seafood such as algae, fish proteins and omega-3 fatty acids and was supported. by the AVS Fisheries Research Fund. Subsequently, a grant was received from the Nordic Innovation Fund for work in the same field. In general, it could be concluded from these projects that the enrichment of seafood is a realistic possibility, and by utilizing raw materials from the sea in finished consumer products, their value increases. There has been a step further in product development with Icelandic ingredients from the sea for incorporation into food, and market opportunities have been created here, both for the domestic market and for export by utilizing unused seafood in more valuable products.

The use of omega-3 and bioactive substances from algae in food could contribute to a positive health effect on food consumption and food stability. The main goal of EnRichMar is actually twofold. On the one hand, to develop seafood, dairy and cereal products enriched with omega-3 and study the effects of consuming such products on mental and brain function, and on the other hand, such products are enriched with bioactive substances from algae and study the effects of food consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress. .

The development of ready-to-eat foods with bioactive ingredients is an important issue for the food industry both here at home and elsewhere in Europe. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the competitive position and increase the market share of the companies in the project and create new opportunities in the markets.

For further information Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, project manager at Matís

Co-operation project between the German and Icelandic governments, Safe foods, has now been launched. The main purpose of the project is to increase food safety and consumer protection in Iceland by increasing the monitoring of undesirable substances in food.

Safe foods enables the Icelandic authorities, the Food Administration and the municipal health inspectorate to better enforce legislation on food safety and consumer protection, which has already been implemented through the EEA Agreement. The project includes the purchase and installation of research equipment and training in accredited chemical analysis and monitoring work. With improved equipment, it will be possible to perform many more measurements domestically than is currently the case, such as measurements of algae toxins in shellfish and measurements of 300 pesticides in food instead of the 60 currently measured.

Safe foods was originally part of the IPA plan for Iceland's accession negotiations with the EU, but has now been implemented in the form of a bilateral project between the German and Icelandic governments. The project is carried out in collaboration with Matís, Matvælastofnun, the Ministry of Industry and Innovation, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) in Germany.

Further information can be found in the document Safe foods | Actions and yields and at Margrét Björk Sigurðardóttir at the Food Administration (MAST) and Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir at Matís.

The Spring in the Air 2014 project is an initiative of Matís ohf in collaboration with the municipalities of Vesturbyggð and Tálknafjarðarhreppur. The project is intended to encourage interested residents in the municipalities to implement their ideas in the field of food production and biotechnology.

The project will run for one year and is expected to deliver at least three fully developed ideas by the end of the project.

The purpose of the Spring in the Air 2014 project is to increase the possibility of increased processing of raw materials and thus increase the value added of the raw materials available in the southern Westfjords. There is great potential in the valuable raw materials that are created in the area, both at sea and on land. There are many opportunities to process the raw material into a valuable product or to develop new products from what is obtained during the processing of the raw material. There is a great deal of knowledge and experience regarding fishing and processing of catfish, but in addition, aquaculture is a powerful and growing profession in the southern Westfjords. In Arnarfjörður, lime algae is processed by the Icelandic Lime Algae Association in Bíldudalur, where most of the products are exported abroad, but some are processed in Iceland for human consumption. Agriculture has been hit hard in the area, but both sheep farming and milk production are driven by beauty on at least a few lands in the county. Therefore, there are many possibilities for improved utilization and processing of products from the area and it is possible to significantly improve the profitability of operations with increased value creation at home. Companies and municipalities in Barðastrandarsýsla are very aware of environmentally friendly and good treatment of nature and the ecosystem and many of the companies have organic certification or other types of recognized environmental certifications in their production which significantly strengthens their position in competition. Such certification is to the advantage of the region as a whole in the marketing of products and services, as the public's environmental awareness is constantly increasing.

The aim of the Spring in the Air 2014 project is to support ideas that entrepreneurs in the area have and help them implement the ideas. Such assistance with ideas lays a strong foundation for start-up projects that can then grow and prosper in the hands of local people and thus contribute to strengthening the economy and society as a whole in the southern Westfjords. The ideas that will be supported by Matís will have in common that it will be possible to see tangible results during the project period and at least three fully formed ideas, products or business plans will be created during the twelve months that the initiative will run. It is expected that the results of the Spring in the Air 2014 project will be formally announced in the autumn of 2014 and the products of those who have participated in the development will be presented on that occasion.

The project has already been presented at open meetings held in four places, Patreksfjörður, Tálknafjörður, Bíldudalur and Barðaströnd, in mid-December and the reception from the locals was excellent. A further elaboration of the ideas that have emerged and a decision on the projects that will be part of the Spring in the Air 2014 initiative will be made. Those who have shown interest in participating will define their ideas better in the coming weeks in collaboration with Matís staff and prepare a work plan. . Work on product development and implementation of each idea is expected to begin in early February, when agreements have been made with partners and participants.

The project Spring in the Air 2014 is funded by the Research and Innovation Fund of Vestur-Barðastrandarsýsla and Matís, in addition to which the projects of entrepreneurs will be carried out in collaboration with the municipalities of Vesturbyggð and Tálknafjarðarhreppur as far as possible.

Further information about the project Spring in the Air 2014 is provided by Lilja Magnúsdóttir, an employee of Matís in Patreksfjörður (858-5085, liljam@matis.is).

Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, and Vilhjálmur Egilsson, Rector of Bifröst University, signed an agreement today to the effect that Matís will teach and develop courses in food management, a new course that will be offered at Bifröst University from next autumn.

Courses that Matís will supervise are directly related to the content, treatment and production of food and cover about a quarter of studies in business administration. Under the supervision of the program, Matís organizes and handles teaching in many of the courses that are directly related to food management. The courses are, for example, in nutrition, food microbiology, food processing, food legislation and quality issues.

Bifröst University intends to meet the demands of the business community throughout the country, which is increasingly interested in increasing innovation and development in the field of food production and operations by offering studies in food management from the autumn of 2014. Emphasis is placed on the entire value chain from primary production to sale to the final consumer. The study is 180 ECTS and ends with a BS degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on food management and it will be possible to pursue it in distance learning and on-site study or a combination of the two.  

Matís is the largest research institute in the country that conducts research and innovation in the field of food and biotechnology for the benefit of the economy, public health and food and food security. Matís plays an extensive role in services in the field of research, education and innovation. Emphasis has been placed on meeting the needs of food producers and entrepreneurs, in collaboration with the education system, including in the form of practical projects with student participation and teaching of certain courses in food science and industrial engineering at the University of Iceland, University of Akureyri, Agricultural University of Iceland and United Nations Fisheries University. Matís can thus offer teachers, connections to the business community and facilities for theoretical and practical teaching. Bifröst University is now joining Matís' group of partners.

Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, and Vilhjálmur Egilsson, Rector of Bifröst University, signed an agreement today to the effect that Matís will teach and develop courses in food management, a new course that will be offered at Bifröst University from next autumn. In the picture is also Guðjón Þorkelsson, stage manager at Matís.

Further information is provided by Guðjón Þorkelsson.