December 9, 2022

Aker BioMarine's krill derived ingredients brand gets approved by Canadian food authority

Aker BioMarine's QRILL™ AQUA — a brand that consists of sustainable and natural krill derived ingredients for aquaculture feeds — continues to make headway in the North American market with its recent registration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the company announced.

This approval means that the Canadian aquaculture industry can now include QRILL Aqua in fish feeds.

Aker BioMarine managed to renew its registration with the CFIA following the removal of ethoxyquin as a feed additive to its krill meal product. QRILL Aqua functions as a feeding stimulant that leads to increased feed uptake and enhanced growth, as well as improved health and performance, among marine fish and salmon.

Aker BioMarine modified elements of its krill meal manufacturing process in 2018, which resulted in the removal of ethoxyquin as an antioxidant. The company also developed a unique vacuum-packing method, using more robust material that exceeds the toughest UN standards, to secure the krill meal in large, oxygen-free packaging directly on board a fishing vessel.

"We now package our krill meal product under modified atmospheric conditions. We remove the oxygen from the produce and flush it with nitrogen, which then eliminates the need for ethoxyquin," said Sigve Nordrum, executive vice president of animal health and nutrition at Aker BioMarine. "The addition of nitrogen to the process required a new evaluation from the CFIA to show that nitrogen had zero effect on the nutritional values, quality, or stability of the krill meal."

Canada is now the last of Aker BioMarine's markets to approve ethoxyquin-free product, and with this approval, the company has converted 100% of its production lines to the new technology.

"We appreciate the thorough process with the CFIA and its seal of approval for our krill meal product," said Matts Johansen, chief executive officer of Aker BioMarine. "QRILL Aqua continues to grow in its standing as an important, functional ingredient for marine fish and we have large customers in Canada who have been eagerly awaiting the import of krill meal into the country once again."

- Aker BioMarine