Fish Oil
Fish oil is the lipid fraction recovered from oily fish such as anchovy, sardine, menhaden and pollock, usually by cooking and pressing the fish or its by-products. The crude oil is refined (degummed, neutralized, bleached, deodorized) and may be concentrated by molecular distillation so that EPA and DHA make up a larger share of the fatty acids. Concentrates are sold either as ethyl esters or as re-esterified triglycerides, alongside natural-triglyceride refined oils.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fish oil that has been refined but not concentrated, so EPA and DHA stay at roughly their natural level (often around 30% combined omega-3).
Fatty acids are converted to ethyl esters so they can be concentrated by distillation; common in high-potency softgels and the most economical concentrated form.
An EE concentrate converted back to triglyceride form; specs usually state a minimum triglyceride content and a maximum residual ethyl ester.
Concentrates sold by mg/g of EPA and DHA (for example high-EPA or high-DHA ratios) to match a label claim per serving.
Oil spray-dried or encapsulated in a carrier for use in powders, tablets and food fortification; specified by oil load.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Fish oil oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, light and heat, so it is shipped and stored in sealed, nitrogen-flushed drums or totes, kept cool and away from light. Many specs call for refrigerated or cool storage once a container is opened, and partly used containers should be re-blanketed with nitrogen. Shelf life is set by the supplier and usually tied to oxidation results, with retesting of peroxide and anisidine values before use.
EPA and DHA content and oxidation values differ from lot to lot, so each lot's COA should be checked against the label claim and the oxidation spec before release. Track opened-container dates and use first-expiring lots first (FEFO), because oxidation keeps rising after the drum is opened. Keep the source species and ester form on the lot record, since they affect labeling and customer specs.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 184.1472 lists menhaden oil among direct food substances affirmed as GRAS and describes its source and refining steps.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)The same CFR section sets specifications for menhaden oil, including a maximum peroxide value.
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 · Coshocton, OH
Sells it as AlaskOmega®
Ohio-based line of omega-3 concentrates made from Alaska pollock oil, refined at the parent company's Coshocton facilities. Grades come in ethyl ester and triglyceride form.
Manufacturer · Ålesund, Norway
Sells it as EPAX® Omega-3
Norwegian producer of omega-3 concentrates sold by EPA:DHA ratio. It offers both re-esterified triglyceride and ethyl ester grades.
Manufacturer · Kristiansund, Norway
Norwegian producer of marine omega-3 concentrates based in Kristiansund. Its concentrates are offered in ethyl ester and triglyceride form.
Manufacturer · Arica, Chile
Chilean maker of anchovy-derived omega-3 concentrates in the 500 to 750 mg/g EPA+DHA range. It offers ethyl ester and triglyceride forms and has a US office in Texas.
Manufacturer
Lipid processing group whose KD Nutra unit makes omega-3 EPA and DHA concentrates from fish and algal oils for supplements. It also offers contract manufacturing and lab services.
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-triglyceride oil, ethyl ester (EE) concentrate, re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) concentrate, fixed-ratio EPA:DHA grades and microencapsulated powder. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect ePA, DHA and total omega-3, oxidation values, acid value / free fatty acids, ester form ratio, heavy metals, environmental contaminants and physical and identity checks, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Fish oil oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, light and heat, so it is shipped and stored in sealed, nitrogen-flushed drums or totes, kept cool and away from light. Many specs call for refrigerated or cool storage once a container is opened, and partly used containers should be re-blanketed with nitrogen. Shelf life is set by the supplier and usually tied to oxidation results, with retesting of peroxide and anisidine values before use.
21 CFR 184.1472 lists menhaden oil among direct food substances affirmed as GRAS and describes its source and refining steps. The same CFR section sets specifications for menhaden oil, including a maximum peroxide value.
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