Matís
The program can be found at home leaf is best.
For further information Nína Síbyl Birgisdóttir at Matís.
We do not think much about how the health and safety of food is ensured, we do not often think about official regulators or research institutes, we just assume that someone will take care of this for us. And so it is to a large extent, Matís measures and monitors unwanted substances in food samples and the environment, and we can trust that we are working with integrity.
What may seem like a no-brainer today has not always been so successful. Various advances have shaped society, people's daily lives and challenges. For an island nation surrounded by viable seas, it is important to nurture the environment so that the resources can be utilized here as hitherto.
Most of the seafood is exported and sold to raise money for the community. For Icelanders, it is important to utilize the resources responsibly. Matís serves the entire food value chain with ambition, with an emphasis on key aspects of the value chain, including product development, with an emphasis on quality and stability, professionalism in handling and, last but not least, food safety.
In Iceland, there are an increasing number of powerful companies serving the domestic market with the production of professional safe food. Things usually go well thanks to tireless development.
Whether it's something bad or when working on innovations, Matís's experts are more often than not contacted. In this light, Matís collaborates in a variety of ways with either those who produce food, process food or those who serve those who do so. Matís has had good relations with consumers and companies.
Matís has worked on the development of the bioeconomy, either in the development of production processes that have brought billions to the national economy or with the support of entrepreneurs at the beginning of their operations and innovation.
The development of the Icelandic food industry would be insignificant if the precondition for value creation was not secure, security is a key factor in sound trade and monitoring is thus an important factor in food trade.
Monitoring involves the continuous collection of data on pollutants in food and the environment. Systematic data collection allows us to predict how the concentration of pollutants in specific areas has evolved and changed over time. Data of this kind are necessary in order to be able to demonstrate the safety of Icelandic food, protect its image and ensure the export income of Icelandic products. The data is also an important part of the Icelandic government's ability to meet its obligations and agreements with other countries regarding environmental pollution.
Matís has monitored undesirable substances in marine products, but it is necessary to regard such monitoring as a long-term project where monitoring and review of control factors, such as which seafood and substances are measured at any given time, is necessary. The main uses of the sea were monitored and between 60-90 undesirable substances were studied. These included dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, but other PCBs, pesticides, heavy metals and PAHs were also measured. If there was a reason, a certain emphasis was added, for example new pollutants that little or nothing is known about in the Icelandic environment. The monitoring project provided the necessary information on the amount of undesirable substances in Icelandic seafood that can be used, among other things, to assess with scientific methods whether undesirable substances in Icelandic seafood are in accordance with food safety regulations and provide the Icelandic government, Icelandic seafood producers, markets and consumers scientific data on the safety of marine products. The results of the monitoring have been useful to seafood exporters, fisheries companies, regulators and others to show buyers of Icelandic seafood the status of Icelandic seafood in terms of safety and health.
Matís is therefore indirectly involved in ensuring the market access of Icelandic food or, as we like to look at ourselves: Matís - we're behind the scenes!
For more information Arnljótur Bjarki Bergsson and dr. Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir at Matís.
This article first appears in Bændablaðið.
In order to promote the strengthening of the bioeconomy, it is important to work across different industries and to look at by-products from one industry as a possible flow of raw materials into another. There must also be certain pillars in society, the utilization must be sustainable so that the resources are in fact renewable, it is important that the supply of education is suitable and the innovation capacity of society must be ensured, not least the areas adjacent to living resources. . Today, the world economy relies heavily on oil production, not only for fossil fuel production but oil production is also the basis of the chemical industry. Oil resources are finite resources that will be depleted and their use will have a negative impact on the environment. The bioeconomy is considered to replace an economy based on oil production and thus move towards an economy based on the sustainable use of renewable resources.
In Iceland, the utilization of organic resources, especially marine-related resources, plays a greater role in the economy than in many other places. When looking at the Nordic, European and other regional or international research and innovation programs, it is clear that there is an increasing emphasis on the bioeconomy. This increased international emphasis on the bioeconomy opens up opportunities for Iceland to participate broadly in research and innovation with the aim of increasing value creation and strengthening the Icelandic bioeconomy. It is therefore important to seize the opportunity and that Icelandic research and innovation emphases support this development so that the greatest possible synergy effect is achieved in this field.
The reason why the bioeconomy and its strengthening are so prominent in international programs is that the development, strengthening and development of the bioeconomy is one of humanity's main responses to the great challenges it faces. This applies to food and food security for more and more people around the world. Also to combat and adapt to global warming, the replacement of fossil fuels and the replacement of oil-based substances today. It can also be said that the strengthening of the bioeconomy can play a major role when it comes to rural development and population composition in scattered settlements bordering on living resources. In addition to being the key to increasing the resilience of ecosystems to shocks, whether in the event of eruptions, floods or hurricanes, and to the planning of land and sea areas.
Innovation in the bioeconomy involves increasing the value and utilization of all raw materials generated during cross-sectoral processing, through the production of by-products and / or more valuable products from already utilized raw materials. It can involve improved processing, refrigeration and transport processes that increase the utilization and quality of products.
The innovation can also involve the application and development of new technology to isolate and process various materials for industrial production from organic raw materials instead of oil. In this connection, special attention is paid to the utilization of organic waste, underutilized resources such as seaweed and kelp and increased cultivation of, for example, algae, bacteria or fungi. In addition, significant opportunities can lie in the genetic uniqueness of organisms in certain areas, where thermophilic bacteria in Icelandic hot springs are a good example, but they can be used for the production of heat-resistant enzymes that are used in various industries.
Although the increase in value is highlighted here as an important driving force, there are also other important factors that encourage the development of the bioeconomy. These include regional food security, which is based not only on adequate food production but also on the fact that areas are self-sufficient in the necessary raw materials for food production, such as feed and fertilizer. A positive effect on rural development can also be seen as a driving force, as, for example, the development of the biotechnology industry, which calls for proximity to living resources, can increase the supply of jobs for educated people in scattered settlements. Environmental impact and sustainable use to ensure the sustainability of organic resources will, of course, always be the starting point for the development of the bioeconomy. Life resources are and will be important to Icelandic society, the strengthening of the bioeconomy has been and will be one of the most important factors in maintaining and increasing prosperity in Iceland in the future.
For further information Sigrún Elsa Smáradóttir at Matís. This article appears in Fréttablaðið May 1
UNA skincare ™ the skin products, came on the market in 2012. The research and development work of the product line took place in close collaboration with Matís, both in Reykjavík and in Sauðárkrókur.
UNA skincare skin products contain unique bioactive substances made from Icelandic seaweed, but UNA skincare researchers have developed a unique method to isolate and produce the active ingredients from this underutilized Icelandic resource - a method that ensures maximum effectiveness and purity and the results of scientific research confirm that the products have a positive effect. on the skin.
For further information, contact Brynhildur Ingvarsdóttir, tel. 665-0101.
The recipient of this new doctoral grant is dr. Ásta Heiðrún Pétursdóttir who completed his doctoral studies last year University of Aberdeen, Scotland. The grant gives Matís a unique opportunity to establish a new research area and facility in Iceland to detect different types of arsenic in food. The project will also provide Ásta Heiðrún with diverse scientific training and important interdisciplinary experience that together will form a comprehensive basis for a successful and independent process in science. A total of 8438 applications for new doctoral grants were received in the 2014 grant year, but the success rate was 16.8%.
The project Cross section of seaweed (e. SilhouetteOfSeaweed) aims to increase consumer safety by gaining a deeper knowledge of the types of arsenic found in seaweed. Today, seaweed is increasingly used as food algae and / or in cosmetics. Particular emphasis will be placed on organic arsenic lipids found in seaweed, but recent studies suggest that organic arsenic lipids are highly toxic.1. Until now, research has mainly focused on inorganic arsenic, which is carcinogenic (cf. the media discussion about arsenic in rice), but organic arsenic has so far been considered less dangerous than inorganic arsenic.
There is an urgent need to increase research on arsenic lipids today. Few teams with this expertise and research facilities exist worldwide and this project is an opportunity for Iceland to be a leader in a new and exciting field of research. The project is in collaboration with a specialist in arsenic lipid research Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The project also strengthens domestic collaboration where the project is carried out in collaboration with the Icelandic chemical analysis company ArcticMass.
The outcome of the project is primarily twofold. On the one hand, to build a database on arsenic lipids in different types of seaweed that has been collected in three different places in Iceland at different times of the year. This will be an important contribution to ensuring consumer safety and facilitating risk assessment of seaweed. However, a thorough statistical analysis and comparison of environmental data when collecting the samples (such as salinity, nutrients, temperature, location, etc.) will allow to determine the ideal conditions for collecting seaweed when toxic arsenic is likely to be minimal.
For further information dr. Ásta Heiðrún Pétursdóttir.
Ian Goulding is a specialist in fish quality, processing and international aspects of fisheries management. He qualified in the UK as an Environmental Health Officer, has a Masters degree in Food Science and a PhD in Fish Technology and Marketing. He has 30+ years of experience in the fish industry, in quality control, product development, international trade and fish processing, as well as in research, consultancy and training functions.
Since 1986 he has worked as a consultant offering specialist advice and assistance to the fishery sector. He worked for seven years for the UK Government on long term projects in Ecuador and Egypt. He has worked for private companies, as an expert witness and on development projects in Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, South America and Central and Eastern Europe. He has advised the EU on socio-economic impacts of fisheries, fisheries agreements with third countries, IUU fishing controls and sanitary aspects of trade on fishery products. He has been instrumental in helping numerous less developed countries meet sanitary requirements for export of fisheries to international markets.
Since 1994 he has been Managing Director of a fisheries consultancy firm, Megapesca Lda of Portugal, where he has managed more than 500 contracts funded by international development agencies. Ian is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK), and Board Member of the International Association of Fish Inspectors. He runs the IAFI Peter Howgate Award for young fish technologists and edits the popular monthly newsletter “Fishfiles Lite” on EU fisheries matters. He has UK and Portuguese nationalities, and speaks English and Portuguese.
The company Primex ehf. chitosan is processed from shrimp shells in Siglufjörður and worked on the project together with Matís, Fjarðalaxi and Frame.
The possibilities of use of chitosan are great and it has been mostly used as a fat binder in the gastrointestinal tract and in the development of wound care products. Yet another feature of this is the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth which is useful in maintaining food quality. It is particularly suitable for marine products as they are generally sensitive products with a short shelf life where spoilage bacteria thrive well.
The project therefore developed a method for treating seafood with chitosan and tested different mixtures of the substance. Three different seafood products were selected for testing; shrimp, salmon and cod. The results showed that certain mixtures of chitosan slow down the spoilage process, especially in whole fish. It is important that treatment is carried out immediately after fishing or slaughter in order to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment and that ideal conditions exist for the storage of fish products.
The members of the project would like to thank AVS for their support.
Further information is provided by dr. Eyjólfur Reynisson at Matís.
As an example of value creation for pelagic fish, it can be mentioned that if 10,000 tonnes of blue whiting were to be dried instead of smelting, the value of that catch could be increased by ISK 1.6 billion per year.
A collaborative project is underway between Matís, Haustaks and Herring processing at Neskaupstaður on drying pelagic fish. The aim of the project is to build knowledge and adapt the drying process of fully dried products from capelin, blue whiting and saithe, using a conveyor belt dryer. Dried products for human consumption are considered in foreign markets, mainly to Africa, such as Kenya and Tanzania. Matís has been involved in development activities in these countries in recent years, regarding the drying of small fish, which is now well known in these countries. Cyprian Ogombe Odoli, a doctoral student at Matís and a graduate of the United Nations University Fisheries Training Program (www.unuftp.is), also participates in these projects.
AVS Fisheries Research Fund sponsors the project. For further information Ásbjörn Jónsson.
Matís has often played a key role in this, being a kind of core of knowledge when it comes to the application of science in the fisheries sector and a bridge between educational institutions and the business community.
"Research and science are the future currency of the fishing industry," says Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís. He says probable knowledge and technological progress will continue to play a key role in Iceland's competitive position.
"In fact, today we have the palm in our hands because we already have a very strong fishing industry and a strong knowledge base in the industry. This is something that many other nations have yet to build and have a long way to go. "
By law, Matís' role is to increase value in the food industry, improve food security and promote public health. Matís is state-owned but operated as a public limited company and has a clear service role with the fishing industry and other food sectors, but also obligations towards the owner, the nation.
Sveinn points out that consumers, both domestically and abroad, are becoming increasingly demanding and better aware of the properties of seafood. Through innovation and research, fisheries companies are able to meet these high demands in an efficient way and create added value from the catch.
"The development that has taken place in the field of refrigeration is a good example of this. Today, about half of the fresh fillets that Icelandic companies export to Europe are transported by ship instead of air transport only, as was the case about 15 years ago, because improved technology has made it possible to extend the product's shelf life and improve fish handling throughout the value chain. The result is much greater exports of fresh fillets and fillet pieces in a cheap and environmentally friendly way, but at the same time, air transport has also developed and today offers the opportunity to handle all the most demanding buyers. Fishermen, fishermen and the staff of fish processing and transport companies have certainly looked at the needs of the market and used science to get to the next level "
As another example of the progress of recent years and decades, Sveinn mentions improved utilization of the catch. "Everything works together here, the technology that aims to increase the quality of the raw material for the general consumer also creates better raw materials for all kinds of by-products. Advances in handling and processing have led to the utilization rate of cod approaching 80%, and at the same time the proportion of the most valuable products has increased. "
Sveinn says it is clear that the supply of fish will increase greatly in the coming years, not least white fish, and increase competition in all market areas. He cites as an example Vietnam, which has stated that aquaculture will double in size over the next five years, and almost all of the fish will be exported. "In the market environment of the future, it will be crucial how we manage to build up the image of an Icelandic product and differentiate it from other seafood, such as by virtue of quality, purity and food safety. The industry needs to continue its good work, and be able to work from the right information and the latest research. "
Purity and quality, says Sveinn, driven by research and investment in technological progress, says Sveinn can become one of the strongest marketing tools for Icelandic fish. "We see it happening that the internet is changing the way all products are sold and it is foreseeable that new opportunities will be created to sell seafood directly to the consumer. There, Icelandic companies will have all the data in hand to show how good the product is, and healthy, "he predicts. "Consumers around the world are placing increasing emphasis on eating wholesome foods that are produced without adversely affecting the environment and society. These are consumers who are very aware of the health effects of food, want to know their origin and are willing to pay a high price for a nutritious product that is good for their health. In all these areas, Icelandic seafood is very strong, but our argument must be based on honesty and scientific information, not just what we think or want to say. "
This interview with Svein Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, first appeared in Morgunblaðið on March 26.
UNA skincare skin care products are unique in the market. They are naturally extracted from Icelandic seaweed and contain bioactive substances that are based on years of research and have given very good results.
Now is a turning point when UNA skincare ehf. opens for the involvement of new partners for further development, marketing and distribution of UNA skincare skin care products in domestic and foreign markets. Investment in the company is also possible.
Oddur Már Gunnarsson, Chairman of the Board of UNA skincare ehf.
422 5096 // 858 5096
www.unaskincare.com
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