Manufacturing its AlaskOmega products, Wiley Companies (previously Organic Technologies) sits in the natural fish oils and omega-3 fish oil concentrates space.
New powder format
The launch marks the company’s first foray into the powder formulation market. Its MSC-certified omega-3 concentrate powder has been designed for use in dietary supplements, food and beverages.
Expanding its AlaskOmega range, Wiley Companies unveils its Omega-3 Powder 3221, which provides a minimum of 200mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The product has been developed “without a fishy taste or smell” to appeal to consumer bases that are looking for attractive sensorial products.
The new powder is Halal certified and certified sustainable and traceable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC certification indicates the high-standards of a fishery by demonstrating that it adheres to international best practices for sustainable fishing.
Omega-3 formulation
The new AlaskOmega powder line enables manufacturers to implement omega-3 into applications and formulators such as meal replacement and sports drink powders, vitamin blends, dairy products, energy bars and baked goods.
AlaskOmega’s existing range of fish oil products include omega-3 and omega-7 concentrates, natural fish oils — and now, its omega-3 powder. Describing its process to obtain its omega-3, Wiley Companies collects wild-caught Alaska pollock oil from Alaska’s Bering Sea. The company then takes the oil to its Ohio, US facility for further refinement and concentration.
By delivering 200 mg of EPA and DHA per gram, AlaskOmega’s omega-3 powder is “an efficient and simple way to get a meaningful amount of EPA and DHA omega-3s into a ‘convenience’ food or beverage, such as nutrition bars and sports drinks – food and beverages that fit with today’s active lifestyle,” Gretchen Vannice, Director of Nutrition Education and Research, Wiley Companies, expressed.
EPA and DHA needs in LATAM
The company aims to increase consumer access to sufficient and optimum levels of EPA and DHA consumption. “We know, for example, in Brazil the intake of EPA and DHA is less than optimal,” Vannice explained, citing Stark KD, et al, 2016.
Describing EPA and DHA as the “two most functional omega-3s”, Vannice added that this is “particularly important for Latin Americans who don’t eat fish or take fish oil supplements”.
“Everybody needs some EPA and DHA omega-3 and since our body can’t make enough to supply our needs, we must rely on foods or supplements,” Vannice said.
“The global intake recommendations for EPA and DHA omega-3 is a minimum of 250 mg EPA and DHA per day,” Vannice stated. “The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) recommends that all adults consume at least 500 mg EPA and DHA per day to support heart health.”
In addition, “The Brazilian Society of Cardiology recommends that adults consume two or more servings/week of fish rich in EPA and DHA for heart health - this equates to approximately 250 mg EPA and DHA per day,” Vannice went on to say.
The omega-3 concentrates producer, therefore, believes that consuming a supplement, food, or beverage made with AlaskOmega’s omega-3 powder is an “efficient and affordable way” to get essential nutrition.
Omega 3 dietary supplements in LATAM
Sharing insights on what Latin American consumers are looking for from omega-3 dietary supplements, Vannice highlighted: “They are looking for EPA and DHA omega-3, the most functional omega-3s.”
However, it is “easy to confuse an ‘omega-3 supplement’ with ‘EPA and DHA omega-3 supplements’,” Vannice said. “When a supplement states ‘omega-3’, it could be referring to ALA omega-3, as found in flax and chia seeds, or walnuts.”
Explaining the difference between ALA from EPA and DHA, Vannice explains: “ALA is an omega-3 fat, and it is a healthy fat, but ALA functions differently from EPA and DHA omega-3 and ALA is not a reliable replacement for EPA and DHA.”
Reading on-pack product labelling for the amount of EPA and DHA per serving is, therefore, vital “if consumers want the best value for their dollar”.
Wiley Companies has plans to add to their omega-3 powder offering with a high DHA version of the product later in 2020.