The new voluntary monograph for omega 3 EPA and DHA adopted by the CRN working group on omega 3 fatty acids establishes new, more stringent quality standards for these ingredients.

The new quality standards are:

Measures of oxidation:

Peroxide value (PV): Maximum 5 meq/kg

Anisidine value (AV): Maximum 20

TOTOX: Maximum 26 (calculated as (2 x PV) + AV)

Quantity of omega 3 fatty acids:

Acid value: Maximum 3 KOH/g

Quantity of EPA and DHA expressed on a weight/weight basis (mg/g)

Purity:

Maximum 2 pg/g dioxins (PCDDs, PCDFs)

PCBs less than 0.09 mg/kg (ppm)

Lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic: each less than 0.1 mg/kg (ppm)