Contamination and Other Problems Found in Fish Oil Supplements

— Large Review by ConsumerLab.com Reveals Excessive PCBs or Mislabeling in

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The quality of fish oil/omega-3 supplements varies across brands, according to recent tests by ConsumerLab.com, which independently reports on the quality of health products. Analyses of 35 products selected and purchased by ConsumerLab.com showed problems with the quality or labeling of 11, or 31.4%, of the products. ConsumerLab.com uncovered the following problems:

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  Trace levels of PCBs were found in every product (as PCBs are ubiquitous in water), but two supplements exceeded contaminations limits for PCBs. Mercury was not detected in any of the products. (While it is best to avoid supplements with excess contaminants, raw or cooked fish may contain far more PCBs, as well as mercury, than fish oil supplements.)

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Four supplements (including one of the contaminated products) contained 20% to 30% less than the claimed amounts of EPA, DHA, or other omega-3 fatty acids.

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An enteric-coated soft gel (intended to reduce “fish burp”) released its fish oil too early.

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One soft gel product contained spoiled fish oil.

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Three products contained two to three times the claimed amounts of EPA or other fatty acids, and one supplement incorrectly claimed to contain 1 mg of fat but contained 1000 mg (1 gram) of fat.

The tested supplements include those with fish oil, krill oil, algal oil (from algae), and/or calamari (squid) oil. Results are published in a new report on ConsumerLab.com which provides results for the 35 selected products as well as 28 products which passed the same testing through ConsumerLab.com’s voluntary certification program.¹ The review covers products for general use and those marketed specifically for pregnant women and children. It also includes pet supplements for use by dogs and cats.

ConsumerLab.com found that good-quality fish oil could be had for as little as 1 cent per 100 mg of EPA and DHA (a typical daily dose is 300 mg to 500 mg). Krill oil was much more expensive – the lowest cost being 19 cents per 100 mg of EPA and DHA. Calamari oil and algal oil tended to be priced between the two other oils. ConsumerLab.com cautioned that some “krill oil” supplements are actually blends of fish and krill oils and their labeling is misleading. Some products also claim to provide a certain percentage of the Daily Value (DV) for EPA and DHA – but no Daily Value has actually been established for omega-3 fatty acids.

The new report is available online to ConsumerLab.com members .² In addition to quality ratings of supplements, the report includes extensive clinical information about the use of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, eye disease, psychiatric and cognitive disorders, and in pregnancy. It also provides expert tips on how to buy and use fish oil and other marine oil supplements, and information about dosage, potential side effects, and drug interactions.

The following is a list of products covered in the report:

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1-800-PtMeds Super Pure Omega 3 Dogs/Cats .

•21st Cenury Omega-3 Fish Oil

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•Astamega3 Omega-3 Krill Oil CardioSupport .

•Barlean’ Organic Oils Fresh Catch Fish Oil

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•Brain stong .

•Carlson orwegian Cod Liver Oil

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•Carlson uper Omega-3 Gems Fish Oil Conc. .

•Coromegaomega-3 squeeze

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•CVS Pharacy Natural Fish Oil Concentrate .

•Deva NonFish Vegan Omega-3 DHA

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•Doctor’sBest — est DHA 500 from Calamari .

•Dr. Mercla Krill Oil

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•Finest Ntural (Walgreens) Fish Oil .

•Garden o Life Oceans 3

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•GNC FishOil 1000 .

•GNC TriFex Complete Vitapak TriFlex

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•GNC Tripe Strength Fish Oil .

•GNC Tripe Strength Fish Oil + Krill

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•GNC Tripe Strength Fish Oil + Phytosterols .

•GNC Tripe Strength Fish Oil + Resveratrol

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GNC Tripl Strength Fish Oil + Vitamin D-3 .

•GNC Tripe Strength Fish Oil Sport

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•GNC Tripe Strength Omega Complex .

•GNC Ultr Omega Krill Oil

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•I.Q. Essntials (Purity Products) Kid’s Omega-3 Fish Oil .

•JamiesonOmega-3 Select

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•Jarrow Frmulas Krill Oil .

•Julian Witaker, M.D. O-3 Essentials

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•Kirkland(Costco) Signature Natural Omega-3 Fish Oil .

•LaneLabsEcoOmega

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•Life Extnsion Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA .

•L’il Criters Omega-3 DHA Gummy Fish

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•Metagenis EPA-DHA 720 .

•Natrol DA 500 Super Strength

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•Natural actors RxOmega-3 Factors .

•Nature Mde One Per Day Fish Oil

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•Nature’sBounty Fish Oil .

•Nature’sWay Fisol

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•Nordic Clamari Higher Potency Omega-3 .

•Nordic Nturals Ultimate Omega

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•NOW Neptne Krill Oil .

•Nutrilit OceanEssentials omega-3

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•Omega Fator 3 .

•Omega-Cas for Cats and Small Dogs

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•Omega Smrt (Renew Life) Kids DHA .

•Omega Smrt (Renew Life) Ultimate Fish Oils

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•One A DayWomen’s Prenatal with DHA .

•Ovega-3

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•Petco Heathy Skin & Coat Omega-3 for Dogs .

•PharmaNurients learn

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•ProNutriets Omega3 .

•Puritan’ Pride Premium Omega-3 Fish Oil

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•Schiff MeaRed 100% Pure Omega-3 Krill Oil .

•Simply Rght (Sam’s Club) Enteric Fish Oil

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•Source Naurals Arctic Pure Krill Oil .

•Sundown aturals Fish Oil

• Swanson EFA’s 100% Pure Krill Oil .

•Swanson FA’s Super EPA

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•USANA Optmizers BiOmega .

•VitacostMega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA

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•VitalOils000 .

•Vitamin hoppe Omega 3 Fish Oil 800/500

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•Vitamin Wrld Omega-3 Fish Oil .

•Whole Fods Omega-3 Cold Water Fish Oil

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•XtendlifeOmega 3/DHA Fish Oil Premium

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Notes

1. Product review: fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements review (including krill, algae, and calamari oil) [online article]. Consumerlab.com. http://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Omega-3_Fatty_Acids_EPA_and_DHA_from_Fi sh_Marine_Oils/omega3.

2. Ibid.