Best-selling omega-3 supplements comply with regulatory requirements, says GOED study

A recent study conducted by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) tested the quality of 48 of the most-widely sold EPA/DHA omega-3 supplements in the US. Quality was determined by testing the EPA/DHA content of the products, and comparing it labeled content on the bottle.

Results showed that of the 42 products with content declarations on the label, all complied with U.S. requirements by having at least 80% of the labeled content. Of the 42 products, 40.5% (17 products) had an EPA/DHA content between 80 and 100% of the labeled content, 57.1% had between 100 and 110.4% of the labeled content, and 1% contained 138.7% of the labeled EPA/DHA content.

Products were also tested for adherence to oxidation parameters. This was challenging because no regulatory limits for primary or secondary oxidation quality exist in the U.S. for EPA/DHA supplements. However, based on strict industry and relevant pharmacopeial quality standards, 89.5% of the 48 tested products were found to be compliant.

While the results were positive overall, GOED acknowledges that there is still room for improvement.