The company said that on February 11, they were made aware that some batches of salmon harvested by Marine Harvest Scotland contained salmon with an unpleasant odour and taste described as similar to fuel/diesel.Analysis of tainted salmon revealed the presence of substances normally found in petroleum, diesel and petroleum based products which could explain the unpleasant taste.

In a statement, Marine Harvest said: "Through investigations and traceability we were able to identify one of the well boats as the most likely source of the contamination. This well boat was therefore suspended from the operations as we further investigated the issue.

"A statement from the UK Food Standards Agency commented that the chemicals implicated in the problem were present at low levels and therefore very unlikely to be a risk to health.

"Customers that had received salmon products originating from the period identified as a period of risk for tainted products were contacted and recommended to withdraw the products from the market.

"The company confirms today that the situation is under control and that all salmon from harvesting day February 13 meets the necessary quality standards."

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