New Waves in the Omega-3 Supplement Market

Amid weather events and sustainability challenges like El Niño and increased consumer demand, the omega-3 fatty acids industry is focused on the resilience of EPA and DHA supply chains, and scaling up sustainable alternative sources.

According to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), 2024 was a recovery year for the omega-3 supply chain. The total global volume of raw materials was 131,183 metric tons, a 2.5% increase over 2023, per its annual Ingredient Market Report. The value increased by 10.2% to reach $2.37 billion. Pet nutrition, dietary supplements, and expanding demand in emerging regions were key growth drivers. 

“Maintaining a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and transparency will be essential,” said Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director at GC Rieber VivoMega. “The omega-3 industry has shown resilience even during periods of supply disruption … Continued innovation across sourcing, production, and application will be key to ensuring responsible growth in the years to come.”

Diversification for the Long Haul

Peru’s anchovy fishery, which accounts for 15-20% of the world’s omega-3 supply, is expected to normalize after challenges in 2023 and 2024. 

“The cancellation of the first of two fishing seasons (in 2023), and the very small catch from the second season, led to major supply chain shortages that have only recently begun to recover,” said Ellen Schutt, managing director of GOED. “The omega-3 industry began looking at other sources of EPA and DHA as a result, and also made some changes at the brand level, which included changing labels to reflect a combination of EPA and DHA number rather than calling out individual milligrams of EPA and DHA.”

Other regions of the globe, however, aren’t exposed to as much volatility.

Wiley’s Finest sources from wild Alaska pollock. This fishery, which is one of the world’s largest, “is distinguished by its robust stock management, low bycatch, and strict adherence to sustainable harvesting practices,” ensuring consistent, high-quality supply amid the uncertainty, noted Stephanie Owens, creative director at Wiley Companies.

“Different global regions will always develop differently, which is why GC Rieber VivoMega has a continued focus on a global business model where we are present in all key regions globally, meeting different market needs,” said Søfting. Many regional fisheries are not utilized due to lack of acknowledged certifications or quality, he said.

Current sourcing patterns reflect that companies are prioritizing supply reliability, not just lower cost, noted Brent MacDonald, director of global business development for algal lipids at dsm-firmenich, which is also fueling interest in algae. “The life’sOmega portfolio represents a breakthrough in this transition; it’s manufactured using proprietary precision fermentation of natural, non-GMO algae in enclosed facilities,” delivering both EPA and DHA from a single source.

Krill oil has moved from niche to mainstream, according to Aker BioMarine. Simo Echchafai, senior vice president of human health ingredients for North America, said the company “has been at the forefront of this transformation, playing a pivotal role in shaping the industry as it stands today.” He noted Aker’s ongoing efforts to deploy sensors, drones, and autonomous vessels to adapt to environmental conditions and krill populations, to “make smarter, data-driven decisions that optimize harvesting technology,” while also protecting marine ecosystems and the krill biomass.

Alternative sources of EPA and DHA are slowly gaining traction.

Microalgae “makes up less than 5% of the entire market, and the algae market has a very long way to go before it can become more significant,” said Schutt. “The only commercial plant-based source of EPA and DHA, a genetically-modified canola oil, has struggled to gain traction in the market.”

“There is still a need for education, particularly in the American market, for consumers to understand that the EPA and DHA in fish oil are the same as those in algae,” said Søfting. “The difference lies in the raw material, sustainability profile, and production method.”

“Advances in closed-loop fermentation systems, precision strain selection, and improved extraction technologies are driving better yields than were previously possible, as well as helping to reduce production costs,” said Owens.

Construction of larger, more advanced production facilities has improved scalability, consistency, and process control while reducing costs, noted Ben Yeap, chief innovation and science officer at CoreFX. As a result, manufacturers are increasing their order volumes. 

Fermentation technology has matured to enable algal EPA and DHA in the natural triglyceride form with no chemical alterations or the possibility of external contamination, unlike traditional fish oil sources, noted Elena Gromoboeva, global marketing lead for dietary supplements at dsm-firmenich. “Through years of continuous investment in R&D, strain optimization, and capital investment in manufacturing assets, economies of scale mean algal oils can be far more competitive and accessible to consumers than in the past.”

“We avoid contamination risks that require extensive purification protocols in fish oil processing. Our full control of the process from start to finish means consistent quality without the variability inherent in marine-sourced ingredients that are at the mercy of the natural environment,” MacDonald said, enabling consistent quality specifications across rigorous testing standards.

Additionally, environmental life cycle assessments are becoming more relevant in purchasing decisions. “One metric ton of life’sOmega has the equivalent omega-3 EPA and DHA to 41 metric tons of ocean-sourced fish, positioning sustainable sources advantageously for future regulatory frameworks,” MacDonald noted.

Plant-based omega-3 fatty acids are featured more often in products, and full-spectrum omega product concepts are becoming more prevalent, said Andrew Hebard, CEO and founder of Natures Crops International. Natures Crops supplies Ahiflower, an oil from the Buglossoides arvensis plant rich in alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), stearidonic acid (SDA), and a range of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.

“We are seeing broader, more holistic, or inclusive approaches to omega-3s, which I think will present many new opportunities,” he said. Combined, marine, plant, and algal sources can be complementary in products for stable prices, supply, and environmental impact, he added.

“However, undoubtedly, the leading driver is the new science being presented about the real efficiency with which plant-based omega-3s are converted to EPA and DHA,” he said. Scaling up alternative and plant-based sources of omega-3s will rely on three key factors: vertical integration, by working directly with farmers and investing in crop and yield development; processing crops locally to improve logistics; and growth of the broader omega-3s market, he noted.

Amid heightened focus on sustainability challenges, Owens said that “today’s consumers are more informed and discerning; they actively seek out products with strong environmental credentials, such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, and value independent third-party testing for purity and potency. General wellness buyers [and] more mission-driven consumers prioritize traceability and ethical sourcing as much as efficacy.”

Unprecedented Krill Fishery Closure

For the first time, a seasonal Antarctic krill catch exceeded the 620,000-ton limit in August, well in advance of the expected December closure of the fishing season, the Associated Press reported.

Despite the Antarctic krill fishery’s sustainability endorsements over the years, breakdowns in policymaking to protect sensitive areas have drawn criticism from advocacy groups.

To protect ecosystems and species that prey on krill, the international Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) establishes multinational agreements to spread out where trawling activity occurs, so vessels don’t target “hot spots” that serve as primary foraging grounds of whales, penguins, and seals. Negotiations between member states broke down in 2024, and CCAMLR failed to establish a protected area roughly the size of California for the present fishing season. 

“CCAMLR member states are not meeting their obligation to protect the marine ecosystems of the Antarctic Peninsula, an area already under stress from rapid global warming,” stated Claire Christian, executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC). “When CCAMLR meets in October, the members must advance critical protections for the Antarctic Peninsula through the creation of new krill fishery management measures and the adoption of the Domain 1 Marine Protected Area.”

Quality Assurance

The European Commission intends to impose stricter limits on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH), including both saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) forms. These compounds accumulate in omega-3 products at many steps in production, and are difficult to test for.

In 2012, experts from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) first posited that exposure to MOSH and MOAH from food sources is significantly greater than previously anticipated, and proposed revisions to the acceptable daily intake. Then, in 2019, EFSA carried out an assessment for possible risks to public health, after MOHs were detected in infant formula and follow-on formula in multiple countries. Because a safe level of MOAH cannot be established, this prompted EFSA to propose new rules that establish limits in MOAH concentrations in food, which will go into effect in 2027.

This is a complex issue for omega-3s and many other products, like spices, vegetable oils, and cocoa, said Schutt. Most GOED member companies meet the proposed 10 mg/kg limit, “but there are issues with laboratory testing consistency from lab to lab, as well as within the same lab, so it’s hard to trust the results. In addition, GOED has determined that there are natural substances within fish oil that show up as MOAH on an assay but are not actually MOAH.” GOED raised concerns with the European Commission on these issues.

“We believe these challenges can be overcome as we work with stakeholders on these topics,” said Søfting. “While this is a European regulation, we believe that other parts of the world will follow suit later, and many U.S. companies distribute also in Europe, and would need to adhere to these regulations when introduced.”

MOH mitigation is possible by testing and reviewing all lubricants and greases used across fishery, transportation, and processing phases. “Use of grease and lubrication may be changed, lowered, or switched to a more suitable lubricant not containing mineral oil, such as medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oils.” The same applies to softgel encapsulation, which requires the use of a lubricant, he said.

According to Yeap, CoreFX’s powder-based, non-fish omega-3s sidestep many of the contamination risks. “By tightly controlling processing and packaging inputs, and using low-temperature drying, we can help mitigate MOH risks and offer a cleaner, more transparent solution.”

This regulatory focus “reflects legitimate concerns about environmental contamination in marine ecosystems,” said MacDonald. “Traditional fish oil processing requires specific refining techniques to address these contaminants. However, life’sOmega’s algal production specifically formulated to optimize product purity further reduces exposures to potential contaminants including mineral oil hydrocarbons. Ensuring the highest quality standards across the omega-3 industry, regardless of source, is paramount … The most effective approach is source elimination rather than post-processing remediation.”

For algae, this means preventing entry points in cultivation environments and using water-based extraction technologies. For marine sources, enhanced refinement and supply chain traceability are critical, MacDonald said.

To minimize MOH risk, industry stakeholders should adopt a few measures as important first steps, said Yeap: minimize thermal stress, use inert packaging, and ensure full supply transparency. However, much of the responsibility falls on raw material suppliers.

“By prioritizing oxidation control and ingredient stability, we help formulators reduce the likelihood of contamination rather than simply detecting it after the fact. The industry must continue to move toward proactive design, supported by reliable supplier practices,” said Yeap. “Mitigating hydrocarbons in fat-soluble products should be a systems-level commitment to quality, transparency, and innovation.”

According to Owens, it’s also important to review: 1) revised NOAELS (No Observed Adverse Effect Levels) in the E.U., which influence formulation strategies and dosage recommendations; 2) changes in California’s Prop 65 labeling requirements; and 3) proposals by South Korea and Australia to mandate that suppliers adhere to GOED’s quality standards or become GOED members.

“We believe these shifts reflect a broader global movement toward cross-industry standards, increased transparency, and science-backed quality assurance throughout the omega-3 space,” she said.

While oxidation remains a prevalent challenge, solutions are available.

“Utilizing proprietary technologies combined with precision spray-drying techniques, CoreNhanced creates a stable matrix that shields omega-3s from heat (by using electrostatic energy instead of high heat), moisture, light, and oxygen exposure,” said Yeap. This approach delivers a cleaner sensory profile, and consistent dosing across batches and formats with slower oxidative breakdown.

“In addition to external validation,” Owens said, “our products are subject to advanced in-house analytical testing, such as inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for comprehensive contaminant screening, and routine peroxide, anisidine, and total oxidation value assessments to monitor freshness and sensory integrity in real time. This dual-layered approach reinforces our commitment to transparency, safety, and product excellence.”

Owens also noted the importance of fit-for-purpose quality tests. “One example of this is the E.U. regulations that apply to marine oils, but have different requirements for intended use (supplement versus infant formula). GOED does have some technical guidance documents on various sources with different requirements. For example, krill oil is in phospholipid form, and therefore, the fatty acid profile analysis is a different method,” she said.

GC Rieber VivoMega unveiled a new method to enhance the quality and sensory performance of omega-3 ingredients via a platform that can be modulated for different raw materials, noted Søfting. Source variances influence the fatty acid profile of the raw material, along with oxidation, color, taste, and smell.

The company’s combined technologies, VivoTech, VivoSure, and VivoSens, can improve quality, purity, and sensory profiles of fish and algae oils. VivoTech provides a custom manufacturing process based on crude variability and other customer requests, with a focus on reducing thermal stress and heat exposure via a high-vacuum technology. VivoSure ensures that the omega-3 concentrate’s color, purity, sensory attributes, and stability are optimized. VivoSense then provides chemical analysis and sensory panel evaluations to objectively quantify the sensory qualities of the finished product. This process helps identify and separate volatile components responsible for sensory issues, which creates a standard that can then be used from batch to batch.

Delivery and Formulation Innovation

Many technologies can enhance the potency and bioavailability of omega-3 ingredients.

Krill omega-3s are naturally encased in phospholipids, making them highly bioavailable. Recently, Aker BioMarine developed PL+, a clean-label delivery technology made from these phospholipids. It enables severalfold increases in nutrient uptake for ingredients that are difficult to absorb, like curcumin, CoQ10, lutein, and more.

“These phospholipids, which are both water- and fat-soluble, naturally form micelles that emulsify oil-based and non-soluble substances, making them easier for the body to digest and absorb at the cellular level,” said Echchafai, noting the completion of a recent clinical study which found that PL+ increased absorption of ethyl ester omega-3s by more than 12 times.

Aker also recently launched Lysoveta, the only commercially available lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) on the market. It can “cross the blood-brain barrier via the Mfsd2a transporter, the primary pathway for delivering DHA and EPA directly to the brain,” said Echchafai. Aker, with KGK Science, Inc., will conduct an 18-month, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 138 adults between 50 and 75 years old with mild memory complaints. The trial will evaluate Lysoveta’s impact on cognitive performance with a focus on memory, mood, omega-3 status, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

CoreFX has been developing versatile, taste-neutral powdered-form ingredients featuring combinations of Ahiflower and algae omega-3s. “Combined with our CoreNhanced delivery systems, these solutions support innovations in trending applications like gummies, chews, and ready-to-mix beverages,” said Yeap. “Electrostatic drying preserves the structural integrity of sensitive lipids while minimizing the need for chemical preservatives or flavor masking agents.”

CoreFX technology also enables the combination of omega-3s with water-soluble nutrients, to further expand on cognitive, cardiovascular, and other concepts, Yeap noted. “For example, a DHA-rich algal powder paired with choline and magnesium in a beverage or chewable format creates a convenient, highly bioavailable solution … We are expanding beyond marine sources, incorporating algae and plant-based oils like chia, flax, and Ahiflower. Our OmegaFX line features powdered algal oil, rich in EPA and/or DHA, alongside plant oils high in ALA and SDA. Through CoreNhanced, we further optimize these ingredients for bioavailability, sensory performance, and clean-label appeal.”

At dsm-firmenich, Gromoboeva noted that powder formulations have made progress when it comes to how much EPA and DHA can be included in a small format. “Our life’sOmega O33-P100 powder technology enables significantly higher loading, over 400 mg of EPA and DHA in a two-piece gummy serving, while solving stability and palatability challenges,” she said, and advanced taste masking technologies further enhance the sensory attributes and overall consumer experience.

Food and beverage fortification with omega-3 fatty acids must continue to gain traction in order to improve widespread deficiencies in these nutrients, said Hebard, with 95% of children and 68% of adults failing to consume recommended amounts of omega-3s.

“Historically, fortifying food or beverage products with omega-3s were somewhat dismissed as being poorly converted to EPA and DHA, whilst marine and algal oils have some significant sensory and consumer perception hurdles to overcome in order to feature in mainstream food and beverage products,” said Hebard.

Consumers have grown averse to industrial seed oils, despite mixed evidence, and ALA- and SDA-rich sources can offer value as replacements in the food supply. “Our real aspiration is that food and beverage formulators and manufacturers now look at plant-based omega-3s and think of all the possibilities for human and planetary wellness that could be achieved by substituting just one or two grams of industrial seed oil with an omega-3-rich oil like Ahiflower, chia, or flax,” said Hebard.

Research Highlights

While small-scale studies are published on a near-daily basis, there’s a need for more large-scale, primary prevention research. The Vitamin D and Omega-3 Study (VITAL), which was conducted more than five years ago, continues to generate most of the high-impact findings today via follow-up analysis, Schutt noted. The primary findings were that omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events by 19% in people with low fish intake, and reduced the risk of heart attack by 28% when heart attack was considered separately from other cardiovascular events.

Follow-up analyses found omega-3 supplements appeared to reduce the risk of developing an autoimmune disease, with prolonged effects observed after participants stopped taking omega-3s for two years.

“These studies are obviously costly and time-consuming, but necessary to continue to grow the body of evidence and silence the skeptics who challenge the benefits of EPA and DHA,” said Schutt.

A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings last year found that among 272,000 U.K. Biobank participants, people in the highest Omega-3 Index quintile were 21% less likely to develop heart failure over an average of 13.7 years, compared to those in the bottom quintile.

Omega-3 supplements appear to have an impact on measures of biological age, noted Gromoboeva. An analysis of the DO-HEALTH clinical study published in 2025 found that in 777 participants, those who took a 1-gram dose of omega-3s daily, with or without vitamin D, experienced apparent slowdowns in biological age via DNA methylation tests called PhenoAge, GrimAge, GrimAge2, and DunedinPACE. “Life’sOmega 60 alone helped slow down the aging process and an additional protective effect was observed for the combination of life’sOmega 60, Quali-D, and a home exercise program: a reduction of 3 months of epigenetic aging in older adults over approximately 3 years … The research validates our Age Slower concept for clinically proven healthy longevity benefits.”

Schutt noted breakthrough studies on specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), downstream metabolites of EPA and DHA, which resolve inflammation and promote tissue repair during exercise recovery. Research thus far suggests SPMs are more potent than omega-3s, as they are more directly involved in inflammatory modulation by acting on specific receptors.

Another review published in June supported SPM-enriched omega-3 marine oil for muscle damage recovery. While traditional fish oil supplementation may help with muscle recovery, a meaningful difference is typically achieved after 2-4 weeks, and it takes 4 weeks to significantly alter skeletal muscle fatty acid composition. SPMs appear to accelerate recovery when added to fish oil.

Phospholipid-bound EPA and DHA appear helpful in mitigating muscle loss, noted Echchafai. A recent study concluded that krill oil supplementation during alternate-day fasting reduced losses of muscle mass and handgrip strength over placebo. It was also associated with shorter amounts of time to rise out of a chair, and better reductions in systolic blood pressure. “As global interest in weight loss methods, from strict dieting to drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists, continues to grow, so do concerns over the unintended consequences of muscle loss,” Echchafai said. “The results suggest that krill oil supplementation can reduce the typical loss of fat-free mass and muscle strength seen during caloric restriction.”

Recent studies also suggest that omega-3s can support the structure and function of skin. “They help reduce inflammation, improve hydration, and strengthen the skin’s barrier integrity,” said Owens. “Another exciting area of research is the potential for synergy between omega-3 and omega-7. While direct studies on the synergistic benefits of omega-3 and omega-7 are still emerging, the complementary mechanisms — omega-3s’ anti-inflammatory and barrier-supporting effects and omega-7s’ regenerative and moisturizing properties — suggest a promising combined approach to enhancing skin hydration and resilience.”

In the past few years, there have been significant advances in nutrigenomics, helping to determine how genetic differences influence responses to omega-3 supplementation, Owens noted. Certain genes may strengthen omega-3’s benefits for lipid metabolism, inflammation control, and cognitive function, she said.

Additionally, “in sports with a high risk of concussion, omega-3s have been shown to reduce the biomarkers of concussion and help protect the brain, as well as improve cognition on the field or in a sport where decision making is critical,” said Søfting. Other recent highlights of emerging findings include an NIH study demonstrating omega-3s may support lung function, and studies suggesting they may prevent hearing loss over the life span.

Omega-3s also exhibit prebiotic activity, said Yeap, “positively influencing the gut microbiome in ways that could explain many of the observed health benefits.” A recent 6-week study found that omega-3s changed the composition and function of the microbiome similar to what has been observed from fiber supplementation; it impacted Coprococcus and Bacteroides, the production of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids, and appeared to reduce serum lipids.

Emerging findings on plant-based omega-3s are promising, noted Hebard, with two key areas. “One is around the true conversion rates at which humans metabolize ALA and SDA, found in Ahiflower oil, to EPA and DHA.” While ALA and SDA don’t appear to impact red blood cell omega-3 concentrations, an animal study showed that significant conversion takes place in key tissues like brain, liver, and fat.

“More science will be published later this year in that area, but a consensus is building around the compatibility and mutual benefits of marine and plant-based omega-3s,” he said. Additionally, plant-based omega-3s are being validated for their own respective benefits, outside of endogenous EPA and DHA production, including “evidence around the anti-inflammatory and gut health benefits we are seeing from the combination of ALA, SDA, and GLA in Ahiflower oil. These results indicate a synergistic effect between these fatty acids, in addition to the benefits seen by their relative levels.”