NIFES has recently installed an advanced new instrument at the Laboratory for undesirable substances, which will make it possible to analyse considerably more fish and seafood samples for environmental pollutants such as dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs.
Samples are already waiting in line to be analysed by the high-resolution gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (HRGC-HRMS). The high level of activity reflects an increased need for documentation on the content of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fish and other seafood from Norwegian fishing areas. There are upper limits for these substances in seafood, set by the EU.
– The authorities, foodstuff manufacturers and consumers are all keen to have more information in this area, says Kåre Julsham, Head of Research in the Surveillance Research Programme at the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES).
NIFES has been analysing fish and seafood samples for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs since 2001.
