As members know, achieving a DRI (dietary reference intake) in the US and Canada has long been a desire of GOED and the omega-3 industry, but the path to this accomplishment has been long and not particularly transparent. Since our last update on this topic in September 2020, there has been some additional activity that we want to share with members.
Despite an absence of a formal request to the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) by Canada and the United States to conduct a DRI review for any of the macronutrients (which includes fat), GOED believes that we are getting closer to a review of fat and for a number of reasons, we believe the fat review will include EPA/DHA.
As mentioned in the January 23, 2023 GOED Current, an updated Energy DRI has been published, which was necessary to complete in advance of the macronutrient DRI reviews. Shortly thereafter (see the February 13, 2023 GOED Current), during the first meeting of the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), it was mentioned that the Joint US-Canadian DRI Working Group has commissioned a multi-year review of the different macronutrients.
The last time the US and Canadian governments established an open nutrient nomination process to prioritize new DRI nutrient reviews, omega-3 fatty acids were among the four prioritized for further consideration, so it stands to reason their importance remains paramount in any upcoming review of fats.
Lastly, a number of years ago, in anticipation of a DRI review for fats, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) commissioned two reviews from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Maternal and Child Health: An Updated Systematic Review and Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Systematic Review. Both were published in 2016. The AHRQ is contracted by various government agencies to conduct systematic reviews on relevant topics in preparation for DRI reviews. While these reviews are considered outdated, the fact that they were conducted supports the assumption that EPA and DHA will be addressed during a fat review.
For the last year plus, the AHRQ has been working on a number of reviews relevant to updating the DRIs for fiber, carbohydrate and protein. Thus, it’s logical that it’s only a matter of time before a fat review commences. Given the lack of transparency, the timing for an updated AHRQ review on fats remains unknown. GOED will inform members once work commences.
Please note that GOED does not analyze or make any representation of accuracy for the Omega-3 News items. This is simply a compilation of news articles found on the internet that are relevant to the EPA and DHA business.
Production & Supply Chain
GOED member Orivo opened a new office in Shanghai, China.
In response to CL 2024/18-MAS - Request for comments on endorsement of the methods of analysis from CCSCH7 and CCFO28 and the performance criteria for processed fruits and vegetables, GOED submitted a comment supporting the endorsement by the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) of AOCS Ch 8-02 for the measurement of wax content in calanus oil.
Solutions Needed
GOED is offering connections for companies looking for omega-3 related solutions or partners. If you want to include an anonymous request, please contactAshley Becnel.
A Russian company is looking for fish oil with EPA above 17% and DHA above 11%. [Posted 4/29/2024]
The 5th International Symposium on Lipid Oxidation and Antioxidants is scheduled for July 8-10 in Bologna, Italy. Poster abstract submissions are accepted until June 1.
Note: GOED will not attend all listed industry events.
To suggest industry events for fellow GOED members, email Vicky Lin.
New Products
GOED member NOW Foods is launching omega-3 fish oil gummy chews, created in collaboration with GOED member Vitux/ConCordix, this summer in the US and Canada. A single serving will offer 300 mg of EPA and 225 mg of DHA.
The new report commissioned by the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, "The Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry," highlighted the challenges faced by Alaska's seafood sector and its significance to both the state and the broader US economy.
Kerry Group, owner of GOED member Biosearch Life, launched a new digital innovation hub for supplements. The hub features expert interviews, consumer preference research, clinical study data, information on all of Kerry's ingredients and more.
Australia-based Coles Supermarket's brand of canned tuna products has attained the GOED member Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label, making it the first Australian supermarket to attain MSC certification for its canned tuna line.
Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, has developed the Seafood Carbon Emissions Profiling Tool to help businesses measure their carbon footprint and meet net-zero targets.
Over 70 environmental, animal welfare and community groups criticized the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) for "green-washing" the salmon farming industry with its latest Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standard.
In its latest Status of the Stocks report, NOAA Fisheries reported a record-low number of fish stocks are currently being overfished. Among the 506 stocks or stock complexes under the agency's supervision, the report revealed that 94% of stocks are not subject to overfishing, and 82% are not overfished.
Trond Atle Smedsrud was promoted to the CEO, Emerging Business, which includes the company's Aion, Epion/Kori, Understory and Qpaws businesses, at GOED member Aker BioMarine.
In its 2024 fiscal year ending March 30, GOED member Maruha Nichiro reported net sales of JPY 1.03 trillion (US$6.6 billion, €6.2 billion), compared to JPY 1.02 trillion (US$6.5 billion, €6.1 billion) in the previous year. Additionally, the company's 2024 profit surged to JPY 20.9 billion (US$134.5 million, €125 million), up from JPY 18.6 billion (US$119.7 million, €111.3 million) year-over-year.
GOED member Thai Union reported a net profit of THB 1.2 billion (US$37.5 million €33.3 million) in the first quarter of 2024, up 53.9% year-over-year. The gross profit margin rose to 17.3%, with sales reaching THB 33.2 billion (US$ 1.03 billion, €922.2 million). The company saw notable growth in the pet care business.
Guest Speaker: Frode Jenssen, the COO for GOED member GC Rieber VivoMega, will speak on the company's new electric steam boiler that has enabled 100% renewable energy-powered operations.
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