Back to search

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

Development of tools for product control and human risk evaluation in fishery value chains (208234)

Awarded: NOK 7.0 mill.

Project Number:

199450

Application Type:

Project Period:

2010 - 2013

Funding received from:

Partner countries:

In 2009, The Panel on Biological Hazards of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a WG to consider the possible risks following the presence of parasites or parasite related potentially hazardous substances in seafood. Given Norways import ance as a fish export nation, it is important that the quality of the fish and fishery products can be properly documented, however, no suitable methods are available. In this project, methods for the detection, identification and quantification of nemato de fish parasites will be developed. The methods will be used to gather information of the presence/absence of the parasite Ansakis simplex in farmed cod and salmon, and in processed wild-catch herring and mackerel. Allergic patients diagnosed with IgE ag ainst A. simplex, shrimp, fish, and dust mites, will contribute with serum for studies on possible cross-reactions with other seafood allergens and dust-mite allergens. Clinical relevance will be studied using skin prick tests and oral challenges. An inte rnational workshop for parasitologists and allergologists will be arranged after two years. Towards the end of the project, national fish food producers will be invited to a seminar for information. The Norwegian food authorities will after one year obtai n preliminary information on the results. The project will provide the fish manufacturing industry with a suitable tool to conduct product control. Clinical information on the importance of A. simplex allergy and cross-reactions towards other seafood and house dust mite allergens will be available after two years and be of use in risk assessment and in a study of effects of fish processing procedures on A. simplex allergens. The methods can be used to investigate other fish and fish products as well as ot her biohazards in Norwegian aquaculture and wild-catch fishery products with allergenic potential.

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram