Calamarine® DHA Earns Novel Foods Status

SOEVIK, NorwayPharma Marine received European Novel Foods approval for its docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 ingredient Calamarine® authorizing the company to commercialize the ingredient in the European Union.

On behalf of the European Food Safety Authority, the General Chemical State Laboratory in Athens, Greece, determined Calamarine ingredients are the substantial equivalent to tuna-derived omega-3. Further, the investigators found heavy metals, pesticides, dioxins and other toxins in Calamarine were within safe levels as established by European Union Commission Regulations.

Commenting on the European Union decision, company R&D director and omega-3 industry veteran Asgeir Sæbø stated, We are very pleased that the European Food Safety Authority after evaluating the scientific literature, toxicology analysis, and data on the fatty acid profile has unanimously approved Calamarine for EU market entry. I expect the health benefits from high-DHA Calamarine oil will be superior to the typical marine-derived EPA omega-3 products. DHA, after all, accounts for more than 90 percent of the omega-3 in the human eyes and brain and more than 70 percent of the omega-3 in blood and heart tissue."

Calamarine omega-3 oils are derived from the byproducts of food-grade calamari (cephalopoda). According to the company, the common health conditions supported by omega-3 supplementation include improving general health, the omega-3/omega-6 ratio, heart health and maternal/childhood development, and reducing the risk of inflammation, macular degeneration and Alzheimers dementia.

 Pharma Marine is located on the west coast of Norway, near Aalesund, a region where refining marine oils dates back more than 150 years. In addition to purification technologies, the facility uses green" manufacturing procedures that reduce environmental impact and carbon footprint.