IOM Urged to Set Omega-3 DRIs

SALT LAKE CITYThe Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) and a consortium of eight scientific, trade and consumer advocacy organizations filed a petition with the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM), asking the organization to convene an expert panel to establish clear dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

According to GOED, establishing DRIs for EPA and DHA would have a profound effect on both the industry and consumers. Omega-3s are one of the fastest growing and largest segments of the food and supplement business, which is why this issue impacts every company within this sector, said Adam Ismail, executive director of GOED.

Andrew Shao, Ph.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a cosigner of the petition, added: In the past decade or so, research on omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA in particular, has evolved to suggest we may be facing a serious public health problem. Most Americans appear to be falling short in their consumption of EPA and DHA, which studies show are important for cardiovascular health and brain development. Taking a simple EPA and DHA-containing product could help fill the nutrition gaps, but until DRIs are established both policy makers and consumers have no way of knowing what the target intakes should be and by how much they're falling short.

In addition to CRN, organizations supporting the petition include the International Omega-3 Learning Consortium For Health And Medicine, National Fisheries Institute, National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, Natural Products Association (NPA), Seafood Products Association, Society for Womens Health Research and United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA).

The consortium is asking organizations and individuals to support the endeavor by submitting public comments and encouraging legislators to fund the IOM review. GOED developed a Web site, Omega3Petition.org, where interested parties can file comments and find information on writing their legislators.