Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks in Esbjerg has been reported to the Danish police once again after food inspectors uncovered new labeling and safety violations. It marks yet another problem for a company already linked to repeated cases of contamination and regulatory breaches.
Third Police Report in One Year
The Danish Food Administration has filed a new report against Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks in Esbjerg, marking the third time in 2025 the company has faced such action. Inspectors visiting the facility on November 26 discovered serious labeling errors and product irregularities. According to the agency’s updated inspection report from December 16, the company had added brine and thus water to high-end fish products without declaring it on the packaging.
In several samples, inspectors found that more than 7.5 percent brine was added, resulting in more than five percent water in the final product. This water content was not listed as an ingredient. The report also noted that the printed percentage of fish content on some product labels could be misleading since the added water was being counted as part of the fish weight.
A Long Pattern of Food Safety Issues
The incident is the latest in a series of legal and food safety problems. Over the years, Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks has repeatedly struggled with listeria contamination and compliance issues. The company’s challenges have often overlapped with Denmark’s broader fight against foodborne bacteria in the seafood industry.
Since 2014, its products have been linked to multiple listeria outbreaks, several recalls, and even fatalities. One incident in 2015 left one person dead and four others hospitalized after consuming the company’s fish. Between 2018 and 2024, the Statens Serum Institut confirmed 27 listeria infections traced to the company’s products, including four deaths.
Earlier in 2025, Danish health authorities also determined that people in France, Italy, Sweden, and Germany had fallen ill after eating the brand’s smoked fish. The company subsequently faced fines, bans, and repeated orders to correct hygiene shortcomings.
Continuing Regulatory Actions
This latest report has resulted in a fine of 30,000 kroner, citing inadequate labeling practices after brine injection and poor oversight of internal risk controls. The Danish Food Administration criticized the firm’s self-monitoring system, noting that its salt content was “out of control.” The agency pointed out that the company lacked clear thresholds for corrective action when problems occurred.
Before this case, Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks was fined 20,000 kroner in September for insufficient risk assessments. In July, authorities even banned the company from producing or selling fish due to persistent listeria contamination found in the production environment and on surfaces despite a 10-day cleaning shutdown.
Company Response and Labeling Changes
The company said it has been working to adjust its product labeling since the summer of 2025. Packaging updates have already begun, according to the management. They claim the water added during salting evaporates during smoking and drying, and therefore, the previous labeling should have been sufficient.
However, regulators disagreed. The Food Administration concluded that terms used on packaging like “hand-salted,” “traditional style,” and “based on old Nordic methods” may mislead consumers about the true production process.
The company stated in inspection notes that it is “looking into the problem” and does not agree with all the agency’s assessments. It maintained that the brine was added solely to avoid overly dry fish and that there are no risks to food safety.
Broader Context in Danish Food Oversight
It is not unusual for Danish fish producers to face intensive regulatory scrutiny. Industries handling perishable seafood must meet strict hygiene standards, transparency requirements, and labeling rules. Violations quickly trigger public reports and, in some cases, criminal investigations.
As Danish authorities continue monitoring producers like Polar Salmon Hjerting Laks, the situation has reignited discussion about food industry accountability and Denmark’s capacity to maintain consumer trust through firm regulatory oversight.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish Salmonella Struggle – The Fight Continues
The Danish Dream: Best Food Delivery Services in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Lakseproducent politianmeldt
