Nordic Countries Work Toward Common Approach to Seaweed Food Safety
A joint Nordic project, which kicked off in 2020 with the goal of developing a common Nordic approach to seaweed food safety risk management, has recently concluded with a report that focuses on the chemical and microbiological hazards associated with the commodity. The report was written by food safety regulatory representatives from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.
According to the report, seaweed is the biggest aquaculture product in the world, yet there are still no international standards on food safety, such as Codex Alimentarius standards or guidelines. The EU is also lacking specific legislation on food safety for seaweed, and little is known about the commodity’s potential risks and benefits to human health. Therefore, the present project aimed to establish a common Nordic approach to seaweed food safety, taking into consideration European and global differences in tradition, food culture, production methods, seawater quality, and types of seaweed species used.