At Europe’s Vitafoods show 10-12.5.05, Croda Health Care announced the launch of their new ultra high purity EPA and DHA omega-3 lipid concentrates which exceed all current industry purity standards for environmental contaminants, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Croda’s Incromega TG triglyceride range offers high potency EPA and DHA concentrates with dioxin and furan levels of below 1pg WHO-TEQ/g, against existing purity standards of 2pg WHO-TEQ/g (EC legislation  and CRN omega-3 monograph ). PCB levels in the company’s Incromega TG brand are less than 0.009ppm, 90% below the industry-wide CRN purity standard of 0.09ppm  and significantly below existing country-specific legislative requirements , .
 
Dr. Claire Packer, Marketing Manager commented: “The purity of food supplements is a key concern for consumers.  Government bodies such as the UK’s Food Standards Agency and the FDA have highlighted the potential for environmental contaminants such as PCBs and dioxins in fish products.  By raising the industry purity standards for fish oil concentrates, we are giving our customers – and consumers – the reassurance of ultra high purity omega-3 supplements.”

The health benefits of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well known. Oily fish offer excellent sources of EPA and DHA, however, recent news stories have raised concerns about the levels of environmental contaminants found in certain fish. Croda’s Incromega TG concentrates offer a solution by providing high levels of EPA and DHA in ultra-pure form. Croda sources sardines and anchovies from the clean waters of the Pacific Ocean. These smaller fish naturally contain lower levels of environmental contaminants. Croda’s state-of-the-art processing, including GMP molecular distillation and proprietary purification technology, reduce the levels of trace impurities still further, to the limits of analytical detection, the company claims.

Dioxins, furans and PCBs are organic pollutants from industrial processes. Background levels are found throughout the world in practically all media including soil, water and food.  Consumption of dioxins above safe levels over a lifetime may result in an increased risk of cancer.

Croda’s Incromega TG lipid concentrates offer enhanced bioavailability and potency for specific consumer health concerns including heart, joint, maternal, skin health, brain and eye health.

Croda Health Care is a key marketing division of Croda International plc, the UK-based manufacturer of speciality ingredients for the global consumer and health care markets. Providing naturally-derived, high quality actives and excipients for pharmaceutical, nutritional and animal health markets, the Health Care division focuses on delivering condition and application-specific solutions to meet the stringent technical, quality and market requirements of these industries. The company's extensive range of health care ingredients includes essential fatty acids, high purity lipids, drug delivery systems and protein derivatives.  Globally Croda International plc had sales of £291.1m (USD534.7m) in 2004, and recorded a pre-tax trading profit of £45.2m (USD120.3m) for continuing operations. The group employs over 1700 people worldwide, with an extensive sales and distribution network covering more than 60 countries.

Further product information:
www.croda.com/incromega

Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.– exclusive North American distributor for Croda's nutritional oils
Bioriginal Food & Science Corp. (North America) provides innovative essential fatty acids (EFAs) solutions, including a full range of EFA products from specialty ingredients to finished, packaged fish, flax, borage, evening primrose, black currant and CLA products. Products are used around the world in nutraceuticals, functional foods, skin care products, cosmetics, animal feed, veterinary products and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

www.bioriginal.com

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References
  EC legislation 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in food stuffs
  CRN Omega-3 Monograph, Council for Responsible Nutrition
  7 marker PCBs – IUPAC congeners PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180
  European Commission, Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General, Non Dioxin-like PCBs, EC, nd
  Ordinance on the maximum permissible quantities of contaminants in foodstuffs (Schadstoff-Höchstmengenverordnung)