GOED issues industry advisory on omega-3 immunity claims

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and confusion about the role omega-3s may play in immunity-based protection, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED; Salt Lake City) issued an industry advisory on the topic. After searching a proprietary clinical study database of all human studies on omega-3s, GOED has concluded that the current science does not support a claim. While omega-3 supplements play a key role in human health, GOED did not find sufficient data to link intake of EPA and DHA omega-3s to “general” to “viral” immunity benefits and GOED urges the industry to act responsibly in its marketing.

Additionally, FDA and FTC are closely watching for misleading product claims around COVID-19 prevention or treatment, and GOED believes even a general “immunity” claim on a product could be considered an implied claim about COVID-19 given the current environment.