Diesel leak blamed for contaminated salmon

SALMON withdrawn from sale amid contamination fears may have been tainted by diesel from a boat, the supplier said yesterday.

Ten major grocery chains withdrew fish products from their shelves, with nearly 50 products withdrawn in total.

Marine Harvest Scotland (Ltd), the fish supplier, said the diesel may have come from a well boat used to transport the fish from a farm to a processing plant.

The company has suspended the boat from use while it investigates the source of the taint, and is looking at the whole production process as part of its inquiry.

The Food Standards Agency said it was "very unlikely" the taint would pose a risk to health.

Marine Harvest said: "Some batches of salmon from Marine Harvest Scotland, harvested in early February, have a risk of a petroleum taint causing an unpleasant taste.

"The taint is caused by the presence of substances normally present in paint, thinners and petroleum-based fuels.

"We believe the taint may be caused by the presence of diesel from a well boat, and we have suspended the well boat from the operations as we are currently investigating the issue."