07.27.10
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Rockville, MD, published its final monograph for Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters today, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), Salt Lake City, UT. The monograph covers ethyl ester concentrates with EPA+DHA concentrations between 80% and 88% on a mass basis, with EPA levels from 43%-49.5% and DHA levels from 34.7%-40.3%.
The monograph is primarily applicable to pharmaceutical applications today due to the narrow scope, but some of the contaminant and quality limits in the USP monograph differ from the GOED Voluntary Monograph, so the organization says companies making such products should be aware of the variances.
GOED is a proactive and accountable association of 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 the industry, while setting high standards for the business sector.