Martek/DSM ‘fishless fish oil’ gains momentum as firms seek EPA and DHA … minus the fish
A spokeswoman for Martek, which is now part of DSM’s new Nutritional Lipids division, said: “We’re excited by the interest we’ve received from companies that want to learn more about the product and application options.”
Dubbed the ‘fishless fish oil’, the EPA/DHA blend offers food and drink manufacturers and supplement makers a vegetarian alternative to fish oil with heart, brain and eye benefits.
A fatty acid profile similar to fish oils
Derived from a different species of the microalgae Martek uses to produce its life’sDHA brand, the oil contains half as much EPA as DHA, giving it a fatty acid profile similar to many fish oils.
The oil, which is self-affirmed GRAS, also got an initial thumbs up from EU regulators late last year.
In a draft initial opinion the UK-based Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) said it was “satisfied by the evidence” provided by Martek as to its safety in the specified food and drink applications.
Freezable DHA emulsion for shelf-stable drinks
Separately, Martek’s new freezable DHA emulsion for ambient drinks was also helping to broaden its appeal in the food and drink sector, said the spokeswoman.
“There is interest in the product, especially since it can be used in shelf-stable juices such as Genesis Today’s Omega Orange.
“This is a great solution for acidic-based shelf stable drinks. We continue to sample and work with customers in this space.”
While it is relatively easy to put DHA in milk or products containing fat, most shelf-stable beverages don’t contain fat and manufacturers don’t want to homogenise juice just to incorporate omega-3s, said the firm.
DSM Nutritional Lipids is based in Columbia, Maryland, and headed up by former Martek chief operating officer Peter Nitze.
