The state-owned RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has made a scientific compilation on health aspects of farmed salmon on behalf of the Sweden Seafood Association (FR). The purpose of the report is, among other things, to provide a current picture of the research situation regarding the benefits and possible health risks of eating farmed salmon. The report shows that farmed salmon is a nutritious food linked to several positive health effects while levels of unwanted substances are low.

Vitamin D, selenium, omega-3, and iodine are four important nutrients that Swedes generally need more of and that you get from farmed salmon. The report also states that the levels of undesirable substances are far below the limits of tolerable daily intake.

– Our review of the research situation shows that farmed salmon has a high content of several nutrients linked to positive health effects and that many Swedes eat less than recommended. At the same time, we can state that the content of unwanted substances in farmed salmon, such as dioxins, heavy metals, antibiotics, and pesticides, is far below the respective limits of tolerable daily intake, says Elinor Hallström, RISE scientist and one of the report's authors.

The use of antibiotics in Norwegian salmon farms is the lowest among all animal production in Europe.

There are many documented health benefits of eating fish and other types of seafood. Research shows that seafood is often included in healthy eating patterns that are associated with reduced risks of disease. Fish consumption has been linked to, among other conditions, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and certain types of cancer.

Based on EU conditions on nutrition claims, farmed salmon has a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and selenium. All three nutrients have positive effects on health. For example, a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids is one of the top ten diet-related risk factors with the largest impact on illness and premature death.

The content of omega-3 fatty acids in farmed salmon is still high compared to many other foods.

– People like me, who work with seafood, know that fish makes you healthier. At the same time, only one in three Swedes eat fish according to the National Food Administration's recommendations. With RISE's solid report as a basis, we hope that more Swedes will open their eyes to how healthy farmed salmon is and that it results in even more salmon served on the Swedish plates, says Krishan Kent, chairman of the Sweden Seafood Association.

There are several misconceptions about farmed salmon, some of which are about farmed salmon containing high levels of unwanted substances. The use of antibiotics in Norwegian salmon farms is the lowest among all animal production in Europe.

The content of unwanted substances in farmed salmon, such as dioxins, heavy metals, antibiotics, and pesticides, is far below the respective limits of tolerable daily intake.

RISE’s report also states that farmed salmon contains very modest levels of all heavy metals and that the levels of dioxins and PCBs are far below the limits of tolerable daily intake.

- The levels of both unwanted substances and omega-3 fatty acids have decreased as the proportion of fishmeal and fish oil in the feed has decreased. But the content of omega-3 fatty acids in farmed salmon is still high compared to many other foods, says Elinor Hallström.

Read the reserach report HERE.

Source: Fiskbranchens Riksförbund