Ingredient sourcing
Omega-3 Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) sourcing in 2026.
Fish oil sourcing comes down to three axes: concentration (18/12 standard vs 70%+ concentrate), form (triglyceride vs ethyl ester), and certification (Friend of the Sea, MSC, IFOS five-star). Premium brands now default to TG-form rTG concentrates.
Forms on the market
| Form | Notes |
|---|---|
| Standard 18/12 TG | Baseline, fishy, low cost |
| Concentrate 33/22 or 50/25 EE | Higher potency, ethyl ester |
| rTG concentrate 70/40 | Re-esterified triglyceride, premium |
| Algae-derived (vegan) | DHA-dominant, premium price |
EU pricing and MOQ
- Standard 18/12 TG: €12–€20/kg, MOQ 500 kg
- 50/25 EE concentrate: €25–€40/kg, MOQ 200 kg
- 70/40 rTG concentrate: €55–€90/kg, MOQ 100 kg
- Algae DHA: €80–€150/kg, MOQ 100 kg
What to test per batch
- EPA/DHA content by GC-FID
- Peroxide value (PV) and anisidine value (AV), oxidation
- Total oxidation (TOTOX) < 26 per GOED voluntary standard
- Heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins (PCDD/F)
- Identity vs reference fatty-acid profile
Regulatory in the EU
EFSA authorises EPA+DHA claims for heart function (250 mg/day), brain (250 mg DHA/day), vision (250 mg DHA/day). EU max daily 5 g combined EPA/DHA.
Top suppliers
Epax · BASF Pronova · GC Rieber · Croda Europe · Algae: DSM Life's OMEGA, Corbion
Need Omega-3 Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) quotes?
Tell Jake kg/year, form, and target market. He'll intro 2–3 verified suppliers with CoAs and samples.