Cod liver oil
Cod liver oil is pressed or rendered from the livers of cod and related fish of the family Gadidae, then refined, winterized and deodorized. Unlike body fish oil, it naturally contains vitamins A and D as well as EPA and DHA, and those vitamin levels vary by catch. Brands buy it as a bulk liquid for bottled oils and softgels, often with natural or added flavors.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Refined cod liver oil sold with its natural vitamin A and D content stated as a range.
Oil adjusted with added vitamin A and D to hit a fixed level per gram or per serving.
Ready-to-bottle oil with lemon, orange or other flavors and added tocopherols.
Oil supplied for encapsulation, sometimes blended with fish oil to raise EPA and DHA.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store sealed, away from light and heat, with a nitrogen headspace for bulk containers; refrigerate after opening. Vitamin A and D degrade along with the oil, so storage temperature affects both. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with oxidation values and vitamin assays retested on aged stock.
Natural vitamin A and D levels vary noticeably from lot to lot, so record the assayed values and recalculate label amounts when lots change. Rotate first-expiry, first-out.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's cod liver oil monograph lists the liver of fish of the family Gadidae as the source and sets a maximum peroxide value of 5 mEq/kg.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 347.10 lists cod liver oil, at 5 to 13.56 percent, as an active ingredient for OTC skin protectant drug products.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Saskatoon, Canada
Canadian supplier of plant and marine oils, coconut and MCT oils, seeds and proteins in bulk and finished formats for food, supplement and pet nutrition brands.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include refined natural, vitamin-standardized, flavored liquid and softgel grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect vitamins A and D, ePA and DHA, peroxide, anisidine and TOTOX, dioxins, PCBs and metals and identity and appearance, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store sealed, away from light and heat, with a nitrogen headspace for bulk containers; refrigerate after opening. Vitamin A and D degrade along with the oil, so storage temperature affects both. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with oxidation values and vitamin assays retested on aged stock.
Health Canada's cod liver oil monograph lists the liver of fish of the family Gadidae as the source and sets a maximum peroxide value of 5 mEq/kg. 21 CFR 347.10 lists cod liver oil, at 5 to 13.56 percent, as an active ingredient for OTC skin protectant drug products.
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