title: Quality analysis of commercial fish oil preparations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fish oil supplements have grown in popularity in recent years owing to their multiple health benefits, leading to rapid growth in the number of fish oil supplements available for consumers. When choosing a product, it is important that label claims for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are met, especially when a specific dosage is required. In this study the amounts of EPA and DHA in 16 of the top-selling liquid fish oil products from the American marketplace were analysed and compared with their label claims. Peroxide value, a measure of oxidation, was also determined, along with lipid class.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study found that over half of the supplements did not meet their label claims for EPA and DHA, and a quarter exceeded recommended limits for peroxide value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that more stringent regulation is required for fish oil products.
authors.affiliation: Ascenta Health, 4-15 Garland Avenue, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0A6, Canada. jritter@ascentahealth.com
authors.forename: Jenna C Sullivan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Budge
authors.forename: Fabiola
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jovica
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards*; D005399:Fishes / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid