Industry Progress on Global Standards for Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA)
News from the Nutracon conference in San Diego, July 10, 2001

WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2001—The Council for Responsible Nutrition’s working group on omega-3 fatty acids met on Monday, July 9, in San Diego during the Nutracon conference, to discuss further progress toward developing global standards for the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have significant health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, protecting the health of pregnant women, and promoting healthy brain development in infants. A qualified health claim for omega-3 fatty acids in reducing the risk of heart disease is currently permitted by the Food and Drug Administration.

The initial goal of the working group is to obtain industry-wide agreement on a uniform method of analysis, on quality standards for EPA and DHA, and on nomenclature for these ingredients. Existing analytical methodologies developed by the AOAC and the European Pharmacopeia are being reviewed, with the intent of recommending a modified method that will eventually be applicable worldwide. Members of the group will work with these standard-setting organizations and with the U.S. Pharmacopeia to attempt to obtain broad support for a uniform method.

To ensure the purity and quality of omega-3 fatty acids, a proposal is being developed for rigorous limits on environmental contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals, and on measures of oxidation. The working group expects to review a detailed proposal at its next meeting, which will take place during Expo East in Washington, D.C., in mid-

October. Existing variations in nomenclature are also being analyzed, along with some survey data on consumer understanding of the terminology now used for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in the research community and in product labelling throughout the world.

The omega-3 working group is organized under the auspices of the Council for Responsible Nutrition and is staffed by Dr. Annette Dickinson, CRN’s Vice President for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, who serves as spokesperson. The chairman of the working group is Robert Orr of Ocean Nutrition Canada. Legal counsel is Stephen H. McNamara of the Washington firm of Hyman, Phelps and McNamara. A six-member steering committee has been established, and more than 20 companies have currently joined the working group.

All companies with an interest in omega-3 methods, quality, and nomenclature are invited to participate in this important effort toward industry self-regulation. The effort is based on the belief that rigorous uniform international standards will provide a foundation for increased consumer confidence in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. This effort will also provide the industry with recognized quality standards related to product safety and benefits. Members of the working group are concerned about inconsistencies in the quality of some products now available in the marketplace.