Fish and seafood are perishable, and freshness, the cold chain and origin all matter. ICA R&D tests fresh and frozen fish, seafood (shrimp, molluscs, cephalopods) and fish products (smoked, marinated, salted, semi-preserved and canned) for importers, processors, distributors and the HoReCa sector.
What we test
Freshness is assessed through sensory examination, including after thawing, and through chemical indicators such as total volatile basic nitrogen, easily hydrolysable nitrogen and the identification tests for ammonia and hydrogen sulphide. Histamine is determined in particular for species from the families where the legislation requires it, such as tuna, mackerel and anchovies.
Composition is checked through moisture, protein, fat, ash and sodium chloride. For frozen and canned products we determine net weight, drained weight, glaze and fish content, while polyphosphates indicate possible water retention. Microbiological testing includes hygiene indicators, the relevant pathogens and parasitological examination. Contaminants covered include metals (especially mercury and cadmium), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked products, dioxins and PCBs, and pesticide and antibiotic residues. Molecular biology methods allow us to confirm the declared species, including for fish roe.
Regulatory framework
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – general principles of food law
- Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 – microbiological criteria, including histamine
- Regulation (EU) 2023/915 – maximum levels for contaminants
- Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 – pharmacologically active substances and maximum residue limits
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 – food additives
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – food information to consumers
How we work
Samples must travel chilled or frozen as appropriate, without breaking the cold chain. For histamine, the number of sample units depends on the sampling plan required; we can advise you before shipment. Results are issued in a test report; accredited tests are marked as such in the report and are listed in the annex to RENAR accreditation certificate LI 871.
Parameters and determinations
Sensory examination
- External appearance authorised, not accredited
- Colour authorised, not accredited
- Flesh texture, including after thawing authorised, not accredited
- Odour and taste authorised, not accredited
- Foreign matter authorised, not accredited
- Defects in fish products authorised, not accredited
Freshness
- Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) RENAR accredited
- Easily hydrolysable nitrogen RENAR accredited
- Histamine subcontracted
- Hydrogen sulphide identification authorised, not accredited
- Ammonia identification (Nessler reagent) authorised, not accredited
- Kreis test authorised, not accredited
- Fat acidity index authorised, not accredited
Composition and physico-chemical parameters
- Moisture RENAR accredited
- Protein RENAR accredited
- Fat RENAR accredited
- Ash RENAR accredited
- Sodium chloride RENAR accredited
- Collagen and collagen/protein ratio RENAR accredited
- pH authorised, not accredited
- Polyphosphates (P2O5) subcontracted
- Net weight, drained weight and glaze RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
- Fish content relative to net weight RENAR accredited
Additives
- Benzoic and sorbic acid authorised, not accredited
- Nitrites authorised, not accredited
Microbiology
- Total aerobic count RENAR accredited
- Enterobacteriaceae RENAR accredited
- Escherichia coli RENAR accredited
- Salmonella RENAR accredited
- Listeria monocytogenes RENAR accredited
- Coagulase-positive staphylococci RENAR accredited
- Pseudomonas spp. subcontracted
- Sulphite-reducing bacteria RENAR accredited
- Parasitological examination subcontracted
Contaminants
- Metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, As and others) RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) subcontracted
- Dioxins and PCBs subcontracted
- Pesticide residues RENAR accredited
- Antibiotic residues subcontracted
Authenticity and allergens
- Species identification (DNA), including fish roe subcontracted
"RENAR accredited" links to the matching row of the accredited-tests table below (RENAR annex no. 1/24.04.2026); "authorised, not accredited" means authorised by ANSVSA (authorisation no. 95/24.09.2025) but outside the accreditation; "subcontracted" means performed by a partner laboratory. An analysis with two labels is accredited only for the matrices and methods in the table. "Not accredited" (non-food products, which need no authorisation) means performed in the ICA laboratory or by a partner laboratory, outside the accreditation.
This list is not exhaustive and not all determinations are accredited. For anything not listed here, please contact our sales team.