January 12, 2005 – Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (ONC), a world-leading supplier of Omega-3 fish oil ingredients to the healthy food and dietary supplement industries, applauds Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture, and Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, for the new dietary guidelines for Americans, which recommend a two-fold increase in consumption of oily fish in the American diet.  This recommendation addresses a major American dietary deficiency for the heart healthy Omega-3 nutrients found in oily fish.  The key question now is how will Americans change their eating habits to consume enough fish?

The guidelines recommend that Americans double consumption of oily fish, such as Salmon, Trout or Herring, containing heart-protecting Omega-3 fatty acids, to two four-ounce servings per week.  The guidelines state that evidence suggests an association between dietary intake of fish and a reduction in the risks of mortality from cardiovascular disease. Fish contain physiologically essential fats known as Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). These nutrients have been endorsed by the FDA through qualified heart health claims for both food products containing the nutrients and for dietary supplements.   DHA is also well known for its role in brain health and development and is an ingredient in infant formulae in the United States.

Dr. Colin Barrow, Vice President of Research and Development at ONC, states, “Experts recommend 500 to 900 mg per day of EPA and DHA and currently average consumption by Americans is less than 100 mg per day.  This nutritional deficiency exists because Americans are not eating enough oily fish like Sardines, Anchovies and Salmon, which are rich in these heart- and brain-healthy nutrients.” Guideline recommendations to eat two meals of oily fish per week will double Americans current dietary intake of EPA and DHA, meaning most people would consume on average 496 mg per day.

Americans have a dietary dilemma.  Twenty-five percent do not eat fish at all, and even fish lovers will need to consume fish at double their current amount to get enough EPA and DHA.  Changing eating patterns is an extremely slow process for consumers.  Research presented at the Prepared Foods New Products conference, October 2004, suggested that nine of the top ten American consumer food choices remained unchanged from 1990 to 2000.  These data taken together reinforce the consumer dilemma, how to get enough Omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish in their diet? Fortunately, these vital nutrients are available in high quality dietary supplements and as an added ingredient in foods.

Ocean Nutrition Canada markets MEG-3™ brand Omega-3 EPA and DHA ingredients.  Mr. Robert Orr, President at ONC, said, “Consumers now have the option for food products possessing the health benefits of fish without the need to change their diets.  MEG-3 brand Omega-3 food ingredient provides the health benefits of fish, without the taste or smell of fish.  Consumers also have the option to take dietary supplements containing MEG-3 brand fish oil ingredients.”  MEG-3 brand fish oil has the highest purity standard in the world and is the only fish oil ingredient to achieve United States Pharmacopeia verification, which is the official standard recognized by the Food and Drug Administration.

The USDA recommendation to double fish consumption may result in the need for public education regarding the health benefits of Omega-3 EPA and DHA.  We suggest visiting our consumer information website, www.meg-3.com.  Americans interested in improving their nutrition, through addressing their dietary deficiency of oily fish, may look to foods and supplements containing MEG-3™ fish oil ingredients, the trusted source for purity and quality Omega-3 EPA and DHA.

About Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (ONC):
Ocean Nutrition Canada is a privately held company, and wholly owned subsidiary of Clearwater Fine Foods Inc., one of Canada's largest suppliers of quality seafood products.  Ocean Nutrition Canada researches, manufactures, and markets omega-3 concentrates and other marine based natural ingredients for the dietary supplement and food ingredient markets.  ONC exemplifies scientific rigor in discovery and research programs, along with world leading regulatory and quality compliance standards.

Contact:
Lori O’Connell
Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd.
www.ocean-nutrition.com
(902) 480-3210