Category: News

Fraud in the food trade is a serious problem and fish are among the foods where the most fraud seems to occur. Matís held a seminar where food fraud was discussed from various angles, and among other things examined how genetic engineering can be used to promote greater integrity.

Matís is one of 38 participants in a large pan-European project, Food Integrity, which aims to detect food fraud and develop preventive methods. The project has been allocated a total of EUR 12 million and Matís' share is in trade in seafood.

Palm oil and melamine

Jón Árnason, project manager at Matís, gave a talk at the conference where he discussed how to monitor and verify the content of feed in aquaculture. He says problems with aquaculture feed are fortunately rare, but still need to be addressed. Consumers are also increasingly demanding to know a lot about the origin of all the food they eat. "Consumers not only look at the quality and the price, but also where the food comes from and what it contains. This makes it even more important for aquaculture companies to be able to trace with certainty all the raw materials used for aquaculture. "

Jón mentions some examples, such as the controversy that arose in the discussion about Norwegian salmon farming a year ago. "There was a lot of discussion about the use of palm oil in fish feed due to the way palm oil is produced in many parts of the world. Farmers are destroying wild jungle to pay for palm farming, and this is affecting the ecosystem in those areas. "

Jón also mentions the uproar that took place in Europe at the time when it was discovered that the producer had mixed meat and bone meal with traditional fish meal. "This was when the fear of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was at its height and led to the European Union severely restricting the use of fishmeal for a while."

Jón even says that it is possible that producers could start adding melamine to aquaculture feed to create misleading results about nutritional content. "It is an inorganic compound of nitrogen that is not useful as a nutrient and can even act as a toxin, but if an analysis were made of the nitrogen content of melamine-mixed feed, it would indicate that the protein content was higher than it actually is."

What can you do then? Jón says the only way to ensure integrity is to promote a high-quality flow of information down the entire value chain. Another way is to use international standards and chairs for official supervision. "The Aquaculture Stewardship Council and various other standards seek to certify processes and quality down the entire value chain."
The third way is to use genetic engineering and let the feed samples tell the story. "If there is a suspicion that there is a raw material in the feed that should not be there, then a genetic test can determine whether this is the case. Even in the form of flour, it is possible to identify what has gone into the feed, such as what plant and animal species are found there.

The above-mentioned news / interview is published in Morgunblaðið and on www.mbl.is March 17 / ai@mbl.is.

Further information is provided by Jón Árnason at Matís.

Rannís awarded grants from the Research Fund for the grant year 2016 last month. Matís received two outstanding grants, of which Matís has project management in one of them, but both grants are related to microbiological research. Matís also received research position and doctoral student grants related to, on the one hand, research on microorganisms and, on the other hand, mackerel research.

The projects will be carried out in collaboration with the Marine Research Institute, the University of Iceland, the Institute of Natural History, ÍSOR and international partners. The second major grant, MIME, will be used to gain a better overview of the diversity of microorganisms in the oceans around Iceland and their role in the food chain. Information on the diversity of micro-organisms in Icelandic waters can be of great practical value to the Icelandic fishing industry.

About the MIME project

Research on the diversity of marine microorganisms has increased significantly in recent years, but there is little information on microorganisms in the ocean around Iceland. The aim of the project is to study microbial diversity in samples that have been collected annually for seven years at defined sampling stations around the country. In the project, the effects of global warming and ocean acidification will be investigated in terms of microbial diversity and chemical cycles in the ocean. Three hypotheses have been put forward: "a) There is a great difference between microbial communities in the north and south of the country, b) Synechococcus is found in the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland and in the cold Arctic Ocean, but does not play a key role as primitive microorganisms as in lower latitude, and c) Ocean acidification occurs more rapidly in northern areas compared to temperate and tropical areas and therefore has a greater impact on marine microorganisms in northern latitudes, causing changes in diversity and their numbers ". Answers to these hypotheses are obtained using the latest technology in DNA sequencing of genomes and gene expression as well as the use of microbial analysis. Research emphasis will be placed on comparing different characteristics of ocean areas such as the cold polar sea from the north with the warmer sea coming from the south with the Irminger current. Oceanography and bioinformatics data will be put into context with a new program (MB3-IS) to examine the synergies between microorganisms and environmental variables. New strains of microorganisms will be isolated and described.

For more information, contact the MIME project manager, dr. Viggó Þ. Marteinsson at Matís.

Right now, the Fisheries Incentive Award was presented at the annual conference of the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector.

Dr. Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, who manages the company IceProtein in Sauðárkrókur, received the Fisheries Incentive Award given at the annual conference of the Association of Fisheries Companies in 2016. IceProtein and Protis recently launched a new product line based on years of research into the health benefits of fish proteins. We find this an extremely interesting initiative by a powerful entrepreneur in the field of research and development in rural areas. 

Jens Garðar Helgason, chairman of the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector, and Karen Kjartansdóttir, Communications Director of the Association of Companies in the Fisheries Sector, presented the award.

IceProtein in Sauðárkrókur is a powerful company that works on research and development of the processing of valuable substances, mainly from seafood, with the aim of increasing utilization and value creation in the fisheries sector. Iceprotein has four employees as well as research students.

Matís wishes Hólmfríður and the staff of IceProtein as well as FISK Seafood, sincere congratulations on the award.

News first published on the website Association of companies in the fishing industry.

Matís offers safe and good service that fully compares with the services of comparable foreign companies and institutions.

More and more people are realizing the importance of genetics. Whether it is a genetic analysis of fish, for example due to disputes over species stocks, an analysis of the pedigree of dogs when it comes to buying a purebred dog or an analysis of horses for export, the importance of genetic analysis is undisputed. Matís offers such analyzes and more, and breeders have increasingly turned to Matís when it comes to breeding in breeding work and how best to pair together to achieve the desired result.

Example of service measurements

Example of measurements for genetic breeding

More information about service research and measurement

Matís and the Fisheries Research Institute before that, has been involved in development projects for over 10 years through teaching and guidance work at the United Nations University's School of Fisheries (UNU-FTP). This collaboration has led to further projects for Matís with seminars in developing countries.

Matís has held a total of eight courses in five countries, Vietnam (2005), Sri Lanka (2006), Kenya (2008 and 2013), Uganda (2011) and Tanzania (2012, 2014 and 2015). The courses have been one to two weeks long and tailored to the needs of the respective countries. In recent years, former UNU-FTP students have taken an active part in the preparation and implementation of the courses. This collaboration has been valuable to all parties and Matís has benefited from growing projects in developing countries.

Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania

In 2010, the Tanzanian government advertised for consultants to design research vessels, tender for the vessel, conduct an examination of the social status of fishing communities on Lake Tanganyika, and provide advice on improving the handling and processing of fish caught in the lake. Matís applied to take on the project in collaboration with Jóhann Indriðason's Engineering Office, Ráðgarður skipráðgjöf and the engineering office GOCH in Tanzania, and the offer was accepted. Matís took on project management in addition to providing advice on improved handling and processing of fish. Margeir Gissurarson managed the project on behalf of Matís, but he has extensive experience in development projects and has also lived in Mozambique for six years. The project area was fishing communities in Tanzania adjacent to Lake Tanganyika, where in most communities there is electricity or running water and the working environment is different from what Icelanders are used to. This area is one of the poorest in Tanzania and therefore a strength for Matís to be able to offer an employee who has lived in developing countries for many years and knows similar conditions.

Drying of fish and other seafood in difficult conditions

The main processing methods for fish at Lake Tanganyika are smoking and drying. The drying is done by spreading fish on the ground and letting the sun dry it. Birds and insects are in fierce competition with humans for food that lies exposed on the ground and during rainy seasons the fish are washed away and / or damaged due to excessive wetness. It is estimated that about 30% of the catch from the water will be lost, or between 10 and 20 thousand tonnes. Smoking fish is practiced over an open fire, so the fish is roasted rather than smoked. The treatment is usually performed by women who stand in a smokehouse every day and the result is eye pain and difficulty breathing. Matís' challenge was therefore not only to solve technical processing issues but also to improve the health of the inhabitants of the area.

Dryer in use

The result of the project was a processing unit that could both dry and smoke fish in a closed environment. Wood consumption in the new unit is only about 20% of what is used in traditional smoking and discounts on fish are negligible. The new processing unit was well received and it was requested that Matís assist in spreading the message. The project was then completed and it was no longer possible to work on it at the moment. The year 2014 was advertised for projects by the Nordic Climate Facility, a fund under the Nordic Development Fund. Matís applied for a grant to renovate the smoke and drying unit from a previous project and build 100 units that are distributed
would be to fishing communities in Tanzania by Lake Tanganyika. This grant was received and is currently being worked on in collaboration with UNU-FTP and the Tanzania Fish Research Institute (TAFIRI). The aim of the project is to reduce the use of wood in smoking fish by 80% and to improve the performance of the fishing communities. In Tanzania, about 450 thousand cubic meters of wood are used per year to smoke fish, so it can be estimated that if Matís' processing unit goes into general use in that country, it will be possible to reduce wood use by 350 thousand cubic meters per year.

Use of geothermal energy in food production

Matís has also been involved in development projects regarding the use of geothermal energy
in food production. In 2014, two Matís employees went to Kenya and Rwanda for two weeks to carry out a feasibility study on the use of low temperatures in food processing. Kenya has considerable geothermal energy, but Rwanda has not yet found energy sources, although there are hot springs in several places that could be used for food processing.

Matís in the Caribbean In 2015, Matís undertook a project in the Caribbean regarding its assessment
how countries within CARIFORUM countries meet international food safety requirements, with an emphasis on wild fish and aquaculture. The main goal of the project was to present a roadmap or proposals for what the countries can do together and individually to ensure access to important market countries such as Europe and the United States. Eight countries were visited, where conditions and monitoring were examined and the results presented to the authorities and stakeholders. Final proposals were submitted in October 2015.

In recent years, Matís' projects in developing countries have increased in number, and with each project, the company's reputation as a reliable and professional consultant in developing countries has grown.

In recent days, there has been a great deal of discussion about the integrity of the seafood trade. The beginning of the discussion can be traced to a seminar that Matís held on Wednesday 16 March, where the results of an international study in which Matís participates were presented.

The study covers species analyzes of fish, whether fish species, cf. the results of genetic research, is in line with what is stated, and there are over 40 parties involved across Europe. The study is not part of the food control of the countries where the research takes place, but is about gathering information and assessing the status of these issues in different European countries.

In the Icelandic part of the study, which has not been completed, it was stated, among other things, that about 30% of all samples taken at restaurants contained fish other than what was stated on the menu, as has been stated in Matís news.

Similar research has been conducted before. For example, Oceana (www.oceana.org) investigated fish species abuse in 21 states in the United States. 1200 samples were examined and in 33% cases there were other fish species in the packages than indicated on the labels. Oceana also investigated the situation in restaurants in Brussels and in the canteens of EU institutions. In Brussels, it was a different species than the one on the menu in 31.8% cases.

It is of great interest that integrity be exercised in the trade of food, whether it is fish or other foods. It is in the interests of producers, retailers, consumers and not least the countries competing for market share in international markets.

Icelanders base their profits largely on the export of fish and fish products, and at the same time as we point out the purity and wholesomeness of our fish species, cheaper and more unhealthy species are put on our heads, but under a false flag. One of these examples is when cheap whitefish is sold as cod from the North Atlantic. The price difference can be very large and lead to lower prices for cod and cod products. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC, www.msc.org/) has pointed out that the standard price for breaded pangasius is around four euros per kg when the price of cod can be around 25 euros per kg.

It is therefore clear that integrity with seafood is a major economic issue for all Icelanders and it is important to take the debate on species fraud seriously.

Consumer integrity and trust are one of the main challenges facing modern food trade, not least in the wake of scandals such as the so-called "horsemeat issue", but in recent years there have been a number of international cases where intermediaries and consumers are deceived in seafood trade. .

Examples of such deceptions are when cheap brands are sold as more expensive, frozen products are sold as fresh, substances are added to products to gain weight, change appearance, extend the life or hide the product without being mentioned in the description of ingredients, types in endangered species are sold under a false flag and so on.

Last Wednesday, Matís hosted a seminar on how genetic engineering can be used to ensure integrity in trade in aquaculture and aquaculture products. The seminar was divided into four parts, where each part began with a short introduction to a specific topic and then a general discussion. Presentations that accompanied the introduction of each section can be accessed below.

1. Methods for monitoring and verifying the content of feed for aquaculture
2. Methods for detecting unwanted micro-organisms in seafood
3. Genetic methods for species identification and tracing of origin 
4. Market requirements and utilization of genetic information with regard to regulatory and economic factors

The seminar was well attended, with about fifty stakeholders from across the value chain of seafood attending the meeting and a very good discussion ensued. There was a consensus among the participants that this was a matter of great interest to Icelandic food producers.

30% samples taken by Matís employees at ten restaurants in Reykjavík showed that it was not the type of fish that had been ordered from the menu.

In a lecture Jónas R. Viðarsson, Matís's specialist director, stated that research on species miscelling in seafood trade in Europe and the United States shows that about a third of the fish sold is of a different species than stated on the packaging or menu. The problem varies by species and point of sale, as species such as tuna and snapper are at high risk of being replaced by other species without being informed. Atlantic cod is also high on the list. Species fraud seems to be particularly common in sushi restaurants and restaurants that sell breaded fish, such as fish & chips.

Matís is a participant in international research, FoodIntegrity, Authenticate and Authent-Net, where, among other things, samples are collected in Icelandic restaurants and subsequently genetic testing is performed to determine whether samples are in accordance with what is stated on the menu. Confirmation is always sought from the restaurant staff about the type of fish. The research projects are still ongoing, but of the 27 samples that have already been analyzed, eight were not in accordance with the menu.

For further information Jónas

Matís is a partner in a new course in ocean-related innovation that will be taught in the Westman Islands in the autumn of 2016. In new studies, emphasis is placed on the interplay between innovation, business and the fisheries sector, and thus opportunities and opportunities for creativity and employment in the field. A true educational adventure in the Islands for one year, which results in a diploma degree and a basis for further study for those who want to learn more. A great opportunity for education in close collaboration with the business community, including us.

This is a diploma program (84 ECTS) that trains students to use the knowledge of business and fisheries sciences to work on practical projects. Teaching takes place in the Westman Islands and emphasis is placed on strong connections with the business community. The program is a collaborative project between Reykjavík University and the University of Akureyri

Extensive professional knowledge and skills are required in the Icelandic fisheries sector. The industry's success is based on a strong value chain that spans everything from fishing to marketing and sales abroad. 

Upon completion of studies, a student receives a diploma degree that is useful in the labor market and can also have credits assessed for further studies at RU or the University of Akureyri. 

Real project

Students work on shorter and longer projects that include processing technology, registration, processes, marketing and human resource management.

Participation in classes

Experts and company executives take an active part in the lessons by sharing their experience and professional knowledge.

Collaboration in projects

Students work on projects in collaboration with companies. The companies are also ready to provide students with work facilities and various other assistance, access to production equipment and information by agreement.

More information can be found on the website Reykjavík University and on Facebook page of the study.

In recent years, there have been a number of cases where intermediaries and consumers have been deceived in trading in seafood. Examples of such deceptions are when cheap species are sold as more expensive, frozen products are sold as fresh, additives are added to products to gain weight, change appearance, extend the life or hide the damage of the product, endangered species are sold under a false flag, and so on.

Matís is hosting a seminar on how genetic engineering can be used to ensure integrity in trade in aquaculture and aquaculture products. The seminar is divided into four parts. Each section begins with a brief introduction to each topic, followed by a general discussion.

1. Methods for monitoring and verifying the content of feed for aquaculture.
2. Methods for detecting unwanted micro-organisms in seafood.
3. Genetic methods for species identification and tracing of origin.
4. Market requirements and utilization of genetic information with regard to regulatory and economic factors.

Location: Matís, Vínlandsleið 12, 113 RVK. Meeting room 312 - Columns.
Time: March 16, 2016, at 9:00 - 12:00.

It is necessary to register participation to Guðbjörg Ólafsdóttir, gudbjorg@matis.is.

All further information can be found in leaflet about the seminar.

A large and powerful group of students at the United Nations Fisheries University (UNU-FTP) graduated from the school this Monday after six months of special studies in Iceland. UNU-FTP is an important link in Iceland's development cooperation, but this is the 18th time that the school has graduated students.

The school is a collaborative project of four institutions / companies: the Marine Research Institute, Matís, the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri, but in addition, Hólar University is involved in the collaboration and the school work is a good collaboration with fisheries companies all over the country. The day-to-day operation of the school is part of the Marine Research Institute and Tumi Tómasson is the director of the school. 

^{The students who were studying at Matís together with some of the company's employees}

At Matís, all students at the school have received instruction in the basic course on the quality and processing of fish, and in direct continuation, students at the school's quality line have received instruction and practical training. Students usually carry out their assignments with the needs of their own country in mind.

More information about UNU-FTP and this year's graduation can be found at the website of the University of Fisheries.