New omega-3 salmon oil set to make a splash, manufacturer hopes

24-Mar-2011 - Last updated on 25-Mar-2011 at 17:25 GMT

Fish oil company Nordic Naturals has expanded its range of omega-3 products with the launch of salmon oil supported by third-party testing to confirm purity and freshness.

Jean-Philippe Sidaner, the company’s international sales manager, told NutraIngredientsUSA.com: “Kenai Wild is the first salmon oil to surpass all international standards for purity, including those established by GOED (the Global Organization of EPA and DHA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and even California’s Proposition 65.”

For the first time, people can take salmon oil without worrying about the effects of toxins like arsenic, which naturally exist at higher levels in salmon than in other fish, he said. “In concrete terms, Kenai Wild’s residual arsenic levels are 40 times lower than other leading brands, and well below internationally recognized limits.”

Anti-inflammatory benefits

So consumers can benefit from the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3s and the antioxidant astaxanthin, which gives wild salmon its pink color, without worrying about heavy metals, said Sidaner. The oil is third-party tested for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, and other contaminants such as PCBs.

Joar Opheim, the company’s CEO added: “Salmon naturally contains elevated levels of arsenic, which makes purification of this fish oil very important. We test for both organic and inorganic arsenic as well as many other toxins. After evaluating other salmon oils in the marketplace, we found the need for wild salmon oil that meets all international standards of purity and freshness.”

Coldwater fish, such as salmon, cod and herring, are rich in omega-3s, particularly EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). Most fish oil is currently supplied from anchovy, mackerel and sardines.

Marine Stewardship Council

The oil is made exclusively from wild salmon sourced from the Cook Inlet, Alaska; a fishery certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). “It is sustainable for all involved, including the marine environment which wild salmon come from, and the fishermen whose jobs depend on the health of annual fish stocks,” said Sidaner. “Independent, third-party inspectors oversee standards for handling, chilling and delivery.”

Competitive-priced compared to other products, Kenai Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is available in 90 counts, citrus flavored soft gels and in 8 oz. liquid bottles, according to the company.

The product contains up to 23 different omega fatty acids including omegas 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11. “Unlike many salmon oils, Nordic Naturals Kenai Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil provides more than 500 mg EPA+DHA in each serving, and contains the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin which is naturally abundant in wild salmon,” said the company.

3 comments

Fish Oil Purity and Health Concerns

Posted by Stuart Tomc, Nordic Naturals National Educator, 30 March 2011 - 20:41 GMT

To clarify, all Nordic Naturals products are third-party tested to ensure purity levels in line with international limits for residual heavy metals and other contaminants. Regarding salmon, like all fish they take in elements of their environment and their prey including heavy metals that exist in riverbeds and oceans where they live and spawn. This is why, for example, physicians recommend that women eat limited amounts of certain marine life while pregnant, and why fish oil manufacturers must purify their products. Wild salmon are more likely to contain arsenic (both organic and inorganic) than other fish species, though they are relatively low in most environmental toxins. Hence, residual arsenic levels are an important indicator of how pure salmon oil truly is, especially given that some brands choose not to purify their salmon oils. High quality purified fish oil is still the safest, most effective way to get daily omega-3 into your diet. Nordic Naturals purified Kenai Wild™Alaskan Salmon Oil has residual arsenic levels forty times lower than other leading brands, and well within international standards for purity. Third-party analyses confirm these results and are available upon request for any Nordic Naturals product. Visit omega-research.com for more information on fish oil purity/health considerations.

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Concerning

Posted by Andrew Dureese, 25 March 2011 - 20:20 GMT

Does this mean that Nordic Natural's other fish oil supplements still contain the high levels of arsenic mentioned by their CEO?

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This is marketing?

Posted by Susanne Faraday, 25 March 2011 - 14:58 GMT

Perhaps I am missing something but for a company to admit to its customers that the fundamental component of its product is toxic and then ask these customers to trust that they have removed the toxins and the product is now ok is not the best way to sell this product. My question is why not simply buy a non fish oil Omega 3 supplement in the first place?

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