EPAX Supplier Compliant with EU Regs

AALESUND, Norway—EPAX AS announced Austral Group, a sister company and supplier of its omega-3 crude fish oil, received approval from the Institute of Fisheries Technology of Peru for production of human grade foodstuff for the European Union (EU). The EU hygiene directive for crude fish oil is effective May 1, 2009.

“Given that Austral is EPAX’s main supplier of crude fish oil, its compliance to the EU health directive ensures that EPAX’s vertical integration strategy begins with a high-quality, safe and properly regulated fish oil supply,” said Bjorn Refsum, CEO of EPAX AS. “This new health legislation benefits the omega-3 industry as there will be a clear and distinct difference between raw fish oil intended for animal feedstuff and crude fish oil intended for human consumption.”

The classification of crude fish oil plants and vessels is in relation to the new EU health directive for human consumption to ensure the quality of raw materials. Fish oil intended for human consumption must meet the requirements for fishery products found in the hygiene regulations. This means that the raw materials and the fish oil must come from establishments, including vessels, registered or approved pursuant to the hygiene regulations and be derived from products that are fit for human consumption and are handled throughout the food chain as such. Animal by-products and fishery products not fit for human consumption cannot be used as raw material for fish oil for human consumption.