VIS/NIR spectroscopy for non-destructive freshness assessment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fillets

► Spectroscopy can detect spectral changes in salmon fillets during storage. ► Storage days in ice can be determined with an accuracy of 2.4 days. ► Frozen-thawed salmon fillets can be well separated from fresh fillets. ► The region between 605 and 735 nm is suited for both evaluations. ► Storage-dependent spectral changes can be related to oxidation of heme proteins.