Omega-3: the International Fish Oil Standards Program

What Is IFOS?BackgroundNutrasource Diagnostics Inc., (“NDI”), a University of Guelph spin off company, is theworld leader in omega-3 diagnostic care and international fish oil standards testing. NDI was formed in 2001 to commercialize omega-3 related assays developed by LipidAnalytical Laboratories in the University’s Research Park Center.Program SummarySince that time, NDI has launched a series of certification and validation programs in the nutraceutical and functional food field, with a particular emphasis on omega-3 related products. One of these leading programs is the International Fish Oil Standards Program(“IFOS”), which clinically validates omega-3 products for concentrations of keyingredients and levels of contamination. Consumers across the world may access theweb-site ‘www.ifosprogram.com’ to view batch reports confirming the results of thirdparty validation testing.

Testing InformationNDI, through its certified and accredited reference laboratory partners, tests the productfor PCB, Mercury and Oxidation levels in accordance with Council for ResponsibleNutrition’s voluntary monograph on omega-3 products and safety standards for humanconsumption. Dioxin and Furan levels are tested against the World HealthOrganization’s standard and omega-3 concentration is tested and compared with theproduct label claim. PCB, Dioxin and Furan levels are tested using liquidchromatography mass spectrometry at a detection limit of parts per trillion. Mercury istested using cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy at a detection limit of parts per billion. Omega-3 content is tested using gas chromatography advanced capillarytechniques as a percentage of weight, and Oxidation testing is conducted using a titration method for peroxide and uv-visible spectrophotometer for p-anisidine under numbered official AOCS methods Cd 8-53 for peroxide and Cd 18-90 for p-anisidine respectively.Although the standard detection limit expressed for each category is set by the governing organization, the IFOS program tests the products at far lower levels of detection in most categories, based on the most advanced analysis technology platforms available. As the sophistication of the instrumentation increases, the IFOS program will continue to update the testing regiment to ensure it is on the leading edge of science.

Consumer BenefitWith growing contamination concerns for the consumer, and recent clinical datasuggesting the negative effects of mercury and PCB’s from edible marine sources, theIFOS program continues to grow in popularity and prove its value as a reliable source for third party validation. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the many clinically established health benefits of omega-3, but are equally concerned with contamination issues. The IFOS program delivers a suitable venue for the omega-3 supplement industryto showcase credible product sources.How Does IFOS compare to other certification programs like ‘Good ManufacturingPractices’ and 'ISO 9000 Series'?The IFOS Program is concerned with the quality of omega-3 products as it relates to the international standards established by the World Health Organization and the Council For Responsible Nutrition for purity and concentration. The GMP and ISO certifications are concerned with the manufacturing protocols and consistency of manufacturing procedures behind the making of the omega-3 product. Quality of omega-3 product and quality of the manufacturing behind the omega-3 product are two very different things. If a manufacturer is ISO certified, it means they follow the same guidelines each time they make the same product line and that each step is documented and followed. That does not mean the omega-3 product is of high purity and high concentration.Why does IFOS choose the CRN and WHO standards over other standards such asEuropean Pharmacopoeia?IFOS is an international program, and the WHO and CRN standards are internationallyrecognized bodies in every country where omega-3 products are sold as the standards for purity. IFOS provides a one stop solution for consumers and omega-3 product promoters in every country for a world wide benchmark of compliance.Why is third party validation testing important?All manufacturers of omega-3 product have a certificate of analysis for each batch theymake. IFOS, as a third party testing service, will verify that the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis is factually correct which provides the added comfort that you are feeding premium product to yourself and your family. Flavoring, bottling, lack of nitrogen purging and many other factors may contribute to the degradation of an oil from initial manufacturing to the shelf. The IFOS program tests all batches as finished product, in the same format a consumer would purchase the product. Certificates of analysis from a manufacturer do not necessarily represent the testing results for finished product.

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