01.01.05
Tests of 41 omega 3 fish oil supplements, including three specifically marketed for pets, conducted by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, showed safe levels of mercury and PCBs. However, three products did not contain their claimed amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or were spoiled. According to ConsumerLab.com, the lack of contaminants in the fish oil supplements tested may be explained by the fact that most of the mercury in fish is found in the meat and not the oil; the species of fish used to make supplements are typically not those that are likely to accumulate mercury; and distillation processes used in making supplements help remove contaminants. The three products that failed the testing had the following problems. One product sold in capsule form contained only 51% of its claimed EPA and only 59% of its DHA despite a statement on its label that it was manufactured following good manufacturing practices (GMPs). A liquid product was spoiled, as indicated by an elevated amount of both peroxide (indicating recent spoilage) and anisidine (indicating longer-term spoilage). Lastly, a supplement for pets contained only 53% of its claimed EPA.