12.08.11
Consumer Reports recently published a review of 15 top-selling fish oil supplement brands, and according to the magazine, six fell short on quality. However, despite the accusatory tone, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED), Salt Lake City, UT, the report was actually positive as all products met the requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia, as well as the relevant EU regulations.
GOED noted the report’s criticisms were primarily with products testing higher than what authors said were the Proposition 65 (Prop 65) limits in California, yet the report does not disclose the actual PCB results from the product tests, nor their interpretation of what the California PCB limit actually is, a central issue at the core of the current Prop 65 omega 3 lawsuits.
Consumer Reports also raised concerns about rancidity of a flavored Nordic Naturals product, but retracted its concerns after learning more about how flavorings can affect anisidine value measurements. The day after the report was published, Consumer Reports issued a statement saying, “CR's tests found ‘elevated levels of compounds that indicate spoilage’ in samples from Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 1000mg….however, the company challenged that conclusion based on the fact that its product includes natural lemon oil as a flavoring.“
“Upon further review,” said Consumer Reports, “CR found that the industry-standard spoilage test cannot reliably detect spoilage in products with lemon oil, and CR was unable to identify any current well-established methodology for doing so. Because the spoilage test cannot be applied, CR couldn't keep Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega in a report that required all products to undergo all tests.”
The GOED Voluntary Monograph, to which all members must comply, applies to both refined oils and encapsulated and bottled products, but not to flavored oils and other formulated products. The addition of flavoring to fish oils changes the final product and it is not always possible to determine the freshness or rancidity of the product using the standard peroxide and anisidine value tests.
GOED views the retraction as a positive step. However, this issue continues to surface among consumer advocacy groups, and there is a need for new methods for testing oxidation or rancidity levels in flavored fish oils, GOED said. A large group of consumers prefers flavored omega 3 products, so as these products grow in popularity proper tools are required to ensure consumers can access quality products. The GOED Technical Committee and others are exploring new analytical methods that may address the issue.
GOED noted the report’s criticisms were primarily with products testing higher than what authors said were the Proposition 65 (Prop 65) limits in California, yet the report does not disclose the actual PCB results from the product tests, nor their interpretation of what the California PCB limit actually is, a central issue at the core of the current Prop 65 omega 3 lawsuits.
Consumer Reports also raised concerns about rancidity of a flavored Nordic Naturals product, but retracted its concerns after learning more about how flavorings can affect anisidine value measurements. The day after the report was published, Consumer Reports issued a statement saying, “CR's tests found ‘elevated levels of compounds that indicate spoilage’ in samples from Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 1000mg….however, the company challenged that conclusion based on the fact that its product includes natural lemon oil as a flavoring.“
“Upon further review,” said Consumer Reports, “CR found that the industry-standard spoilage test cannot reliably detect spoilage in products with lemon oil, and CR was unable to identify any current well-established methodology for doing so. Because the spoilage test cannot be applied, CR couldn't keep Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega in a report that required all products to undergo all tests.”
The GOED Voluntary Monograph, to which all members must comply, applies to both refined oils and encapsulated and bottled products, but not to flavored oils and other formulated products. The addition of flavoring to fish oils changes the final product and it is not always possible to determine the freshness or rancidity of the product using the standard peroxide and anisidine value tests.
GOED views the retraction as a positive step. However, this issue continues to surface among consumer advocacy groups, and there is a need for new methods for testing oxidation or rancidity levels in flavored fish oils, GOED said. A large group of consumers prefers flavored omega 3 products, so as these products grow in popularity proper tools are required to ensure consumers can access quality products. The GOED Technical Committee and others are exploring new analytical methods that may address the issue.
