Plant-Sourced EFA Products Tested by ConsumerLab

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.One-quarter of plant seed oil dietary supplements providing omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids failed to meet quality criteria for freshness and labeling, according to recent testing by ConsumerLab.com. The organization randomly selected 17 products for testing and found two products were spoiled and several others contained either too little or too much of the listed ingredients. Further, the organization noted some of the supplements did not properly label the type of oil from which they were made, whether flaxseed, black currant, borage or evening primrose.

ConsumerLab includes the names of companies involved in the reviews in its general news releases, but doesnt indicate which ones passed or failed testing, nor the levels of active ingredients in the products. However, the reports with complete findings are available for purchase from ConsumerLab.

The report on plant seed oil supplements provides findings for 17 supplements randomly selected for testing; nine additional products that passed the same testing under ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program, whereby companies can pay to have their products tested by ConsumerLab; and two products similar to ones that passed testing. The report also includes information about the different plant-based sources of omega-3s and omega-6s, health effects, dosage suggestions and possible side effects or drug interactions.