GOED omega-3 logo helps identify suppliers

31-Aug-2010 - Last updated on 01-Sep-2010 at 14:11 GMT

A new omega-3 logo program aims to set an industry standard for quality in order to help food and supplement manufacturers easily identify suppliers meeting certain criteria.

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) said its ‘Proud Member’ logo will flag up organizations that have committed to its omega-3 monograph standards. It is a business to business logo, which can be used by companies at any level in the omega-3 value chain to facilitate communication with their customers.

"The logo program will help suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and others interested in the health benefits of omega-3s to easily identify the companies who have met GOED's strict quality and ethics standards," said Adam Ismail, GOED's executive director.

"Companies using this logo can be immediately identified as omega-3 industry leaders committed to increasing education on and awareness of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA."

Omega-3 standards

The logo, which can be used by GOED member companies on their websites and in product communications, means that they adhere to the quality standards in the GOED Voluntary Monograph and to the group’s Code of Ethics and Business Practices.

The monograph, available here, is said to set out standards “stricter than any in the world” on quality (e.g. oxidative values and levels of EPA and DHA) and safety (e.g. heavy metals and dioxins).

The code of ethics, available here, sets out ethical marketing practices and fair business practices that member firms must adhere to.

Quality commitment

Ismail explained that all GOED member companies need to make a quality commitment in order to join, and must sign an affidavit to this end.

“That’s a pretty strong commitment that a lot of players don’t make, and our members have been asking us for a while now for some way of being able to communicate this,” he told NutraIngredients-USA.com.

He agreed that there are numerous logos and seals already used in the industry, but said GOED was keen to create one that focused only on the omega-3 sector.

“We feel this is a high growth area, and when you have that you have a lot of new entrants coming in. There’s a need to identify companies that are making that quality commitment, as an extra level of security that can facilitate the process.”

Companies can become members of GOED at different levels, with membership dues ranging from around $2,500 to $20,000 per year. All members of GOED are able to use the logo, said Ismail.