Heavy fine after sale of salmon not fit for human consumption
Norway's specialised ecocrime police unit Økokrim has issued a confiscation order of NOK 28 million to a farmed fish processing and sales company. Two employees have been charged after selling salmon that was not suitable for human consumption.
The two defendants are men in their 50s who held leading roles in the company. They are charged with gross violation of the Food Act and gross financial infidelity, according to a press release from Økokrim (Ecocrime), Norway's Central Unit for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime.
The company in question is Pure Norwegian Seafood.
According to Økokrim, the investigation has uncovered gross and systematic violations of the Food Act over several years.
"The case concerns the illegal sale of farmed fish and dead fish. It is a serious violation of food safety that for several years salmon that should not have been intended for human consumption has been systematically sold," says police attorney Kristian Johansen.
Over 500 tonnes
The indictment alleges that from 2018 to 2023, more than 500 tonnes of farmed salmon were sold that was not suitable for human consumption and should have been destroyed. The fish included dead and clearly sexually mature salmon. It was sold to several customers in Norway and abroad for around NOK 23 million, or approximately £1.8 million at today's exchange rate.
In addition, more than 300 tonnes of production fish were reportedly exported to a customer in Germany between 2020 and 2023. This fish had a value of around NOK 24m (£1.9m).
Production fish are fish with wounds or deformities that should have been corrected and processed in Norway before possible export.
"Økokrim believes that the defendants ensured the illegal sale through their leading roles in the company. By selling fish that should have been destroyed, Økokrim believes that the defendants have damaged the reputation and interests of the company. Exporting production fish abroad can also damage the reputation of Norwegian salmon," says Johansen.
Fine of NOK 28 million
Økokrim believes that the illegal actions gave the company an unlawful dividend of NOK 28m (£2.2m). The company has therefore received a confiscation order for a corresponding amount.
The proposal has been adopted.
"The confiscation order reflects the financial gain that the company has received from the illegal actions of the defendants, says Johansen.
Examined the fish
On behalf of Økokrim, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Institute of Marine Research have examined parts of the salmon in question that were in the company's frozen warehouse.
The fish was either intended for sale or recalled from a customer abroad.
"During the investigation of the case, Økokrim has had good cooperation with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Institute of Marine Research. The investigations they have conducted confirm that the case concerns farmed salmon that was not suitable for human consumption," says Johansen.
