Council for Responsible Nutrition-The Science Behind the Supplements

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International Standards to be Developed for Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Related Documents (PDF)
• Final Voluntary Monograph
• Target Values

Click here for more on Omega-3 Supplements in the About Supplements>Specialty Supplements section of our website

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2001—The dietary supplement industry has established an international working group on omega-3 fatty acids, with an initial focus on standardizing analytical methods, quality standards, and nomenclature. Strong scientific evidence suggests that increased intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids could have consumer health benefits such as potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, optimizing brain function, and improving infant health. Examples of long-chains omega-3 fatty acids include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These natural fatty acids, which are present in some fish and are produced by some algae, are also widely available in concentrated form in dietary supplements and are added to some conventional foods.

Various European, American, and Asian analytical methods and quality standards exist for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, but they are not uniform. Lack of uniformity in nomenclature and quality standards can be a source of confusion to consumers and can also present a problem in international trade.

The omega-3 working group is chaired by Robert Orr of Ocean Nutrition Canada and is directed by an internationally representative steering committee including Ian Newton of Roche Vitamins (U.S.A.), Jostein Refsnes of Pronova Biocare (Norway), Espen Thomassen of Denofa (Norway), and Kevin Vyse-Peacock of Croda (U.K.). The working group is organized under the auspices of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association representing the dietary supplement industry. Annette Dickinson, CRN’s Vice President for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, is a member of the steering committee and has been designated as spokesperson and media contact for the group. Expert subcommittees on technical issues and on nomenclature have been established. More than 30 suppliers and manufacturers have participated in the initial meetings, representing the full scope of the international omega-3 industry. National and international standard-setting bodies are also being invited to participate in this effort.

The organizational meeting of the working group occurred at Expo West in march, and the second meeting took place at Supply Side East on May 7, 2001. Future meetings will be held at Nutracon in July, Expo East in October, and Supply Side West in November of this year. Reports will be issued following each meeting, to keep the industry and the media informed of the working groups progress.

STEERING COMMITEE, CRN OMEGA-3 WORKING GROUP:

Annette Dickinson
VP, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Council for Responsible Nutrition
1875 Eye Street, N.W. Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20006
PHONE 202 872 1488
FAX 202 872 9594
annette@crnusa.org

Robert Orr (Chairman)
Ocean Nutrition Canada
757 Bedford Highway
Bedford, Nova Scotia
B4A 3Z7 Canada
PHONE 902 457 2335
FAX 902 445 2220
Rorr@ocean-nutrition.com

Ian Newton
Roche Vitamins
45 Waterview Boulevard
Parsippany, NJ 07054
PHONE 973 257 8326
FAX 973 257 8414
ian.newton@roche.com

Jostein Refsnes >>>note, new contact for Pronova Biocare: Baldur Hjaltason baldur.hjaltasons@hydro.com
Pronova Biocare a.s.
P.O. Box 420
N-1327 Lysaker, Norway
PHONE +47 22 53 70 00
FAX +47 22 53 70 70

Espen Thomassen
Denofa
Karenslyst Alle 6
P.O. Box 384 Skoyen
N-0213 Oslo, Norway
PHONE +47 22 54 41 00
FAX +47 22 54 41 90
espen.thomassen@denofa.no

Kevin Vyse-Peacock
Croda Oleochemicals
Cowick Hall Snaith Goole
East Yorkshire DN 14 9AA
England
PHONE +44 (0) 405 860551
FAX +44 (0) 405 860205
Kvyse-Peacock@croda-oleochemicals.com

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