Rebecca Wright07.09.07
The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) is currently working with several trade associations, including the European Federation of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) to agree to specific measures for crude fish oil in the European Union (EU) hygiene regulations. Existing provisions would effectively remove fish oil omega 3 products from retail shelves in the EU at the end of 2007. Adam Ismail, executive director of GOED, said, “The reality is that most crude fish oil comes from countries like Peru, Chile and Morocco. Very little of this production is intended for human consumption and only a portion of that is imported into Europe. As a result, there is little incentive for producers of crude fish oil to implement substantial infrastructure changes to meet European requirements, particularly when these changes will not make measurable differences to the quality of refined fish oils sold to consumers.”
GOED insists that current hygiene standards of crude fish oil production are acceptable and analogous to conditions already accepted by the EU for gelatin production. The refining stage is fundamental to product quality and all fish oil refiners will be approved under the relevant EU hygiene regulations. This will preserve high food safety standards and continue to allow access to omega 3 products.
“This is a matter of great urgency and importance because time is running out to enact changes in the legislation,” said Mr. Ismail, “The result will be lost jobs inside and outside of the EU and a shortage of omega-3 products in the EU marketplace for consumers who depend on them.” GOED and EHPM are currently quantifying these impacts and will issue a new release next week with the data.
Some statistics:
• Only 2.8% of the global revenue of crude fish oil producers is associated with fish oil destined for human consumption
• Only 0.6% of the global revenue of fish oil relates to fish oil destined for European consumers
• Most European consumers have an inadequate intake of long chain omega 3 in their normal diet.
• Between 50 and 80 million European consumers take regular fish oil supplements to boost their intake of long chain omega 3
GOED is a proactive and accountable association of the world’s finest processors, refiners, manufacturers, distributors, marketers, retailers and supporters of products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). The organization’s objectives are to educate consumers about the health benefits of EPA/DHA and work with government groups, the healthcare community and industry, while setting high standards for the business sector.
GOED insists that current hygiene standards of crude fish oil production are acceptable and analogous to conditions already accepted by the EU for gelatin production. The refining stage is fundamental to product quality and all fish oil refiners will be approved under the relevant EU hygiene regulations. This will preserve high food safety standards and continue to allow access to omega 3 products.
“This is a matter of great urgency and importance because time is running out to enact changes in the legislation,” said Mr. Ismail, “The result will be lost jobs inside and outside of the EU and a shortage of omega-3 products in the EU marketplace for consumers who depend on them.” GOED and EHPM are currently quantifying these impacts and will issue a new release next week with the data.
Some statistics:
• Only 2.8% of the global revenue of crude fish oil producers is associated with fish oil destined for human consumption
• Only 0.6% of the global revenue of fish oil relates to fish oil destined for European consumers
• Most European consumers have an inadequate intake of long chain omega 3 in their normal diet.
• Between 50 and 80 million European consumers take regular fish oil supplements to boost their intake of long chain omega 3
GOED is a proactive and accountable association of the world’s finest processors, refiners, manufacturers, distributors, marketers, retailers and supporters of products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs). The organization’s objectives are to educate consumers about the health benefits of EPA/DHA and work with government groups, the healthcare community and industry, while setting high standards for the business sector.