ONCs Fish Oil Approved in China

DARTMOUTH, Nova ScotiaOcean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (ONC), supplier of MEG-3® brand omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), food and dietary supplement ingredients, announced both omega-3 fish oil and fish oil powder were approved as Novel Food Ingredients for all food and beverage categories and for all ages in the Peoples Republic of China.

ONC started this submission more than two years ago, providing a wealth of regulatory, scientific and safety information as part of the submission dossier in 2007. It is anticipated the Chinese market will quickly follow the lead of both North America and Europe, where omega-3 fortified food and beverage new product launches are showing excellent growth. The China market already has some good knowledge of the health benefits of DHA, as it is included in many of the Chinese infant formulas to aid in brain and eye development. DHA from fish oil already had regulatory coverage in China as a nutritional fortifier allowed to be added to infant formula and childrens foods.  

ONC will be growing their ingredient business in China through their long-time distributor, Ruihua Hexin International. They also plan to support the growing China market by opening a sales and marketing office in Shanghai and adding local staff. This should all be in place by the end of the year.  

 Jon Getzinger, chief sales and marketing officer at ONC, said: Were very excited about this announcement by the Chinese government as it comes after two years of regulatory submissions. We are looking forward to working with the Chinese food and beverage companies that will be interested in fortifying their products with omega-3s for the benefit of their local consumers.