Omega-3 trade group joins global supplements alliance
(IADSA) has strengthened its global position with the welcoming of
the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) into its
fold.
The move looks set to allow IADSA to demonstrate its global clout and consolidate its position as the voice of the worldwide dietary supplement manufacturing industry offering membership to independent and representative dietary/food supplement manufacturers and suppliers associations across the world. "We are delighted to have GOED as a member," said IADSA Chairman Randy Dennin. "We welcome organisations that work towards facilitating a political and regulatory framework for a growing international market in dietary/food supplements. Through our members we strive to ensure consumer safety through legislation, regulation and guidelines founded upon credible scientific principles." GOED was created in October of in an effort to let consumers know not all omega-3s bring equal benefits. Finished products containing EPH, DHA or ALA can claim to be sources of "omega-3", yet EPA and DHA are significantly more bioavailable than ALA. The shorter long-chain omega-3 fatty acid ALA is a precursor to DHA, and has to be converted by the body before it can be used. As such, the omega-3 trade association formed to increase the EPA/DHA market and advocate regulatory approvals internationally for the fatty acids - concretizing an emerging movement to raise public awareness of the longer chain omega-3s and differentiate them from ALA. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are derived from marine sources such as oily fish, and DHA can also be derived from microalgae. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is derived from plant sources such as flaxseed. While EPA and DHA are 20- and 22-chain chain carbons respectively, ALA is an 18-carbon. Some of the cognitive, heart health and antioxidant benefits are lost in the conversion process elongating ALA's carbon chain. The joining of the influential GOED is just the latest in IADSA's expansion, having seen its membership more than double in size since its creation in 1998. The association represents 58 national trade associations and over 20,000 companies.
