Analysis of fish oil, other marine oils and fishmeal

Around one third of the total catch of fish worldwide is processed to fishmeal and/or fish oil. For animal nutrition, fishmeal is an important source for well digestible protein, valuable fatty acids (Omega-3, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)) with life sustaining vitamins and minerals. Because of the growing demand for EPA and DHA supplements, targeted production of fish oil is meanwhile pushed worldwide.

Marine oils (such as fish, krill or algae oil) are among the most valuable sources of nutrients for humans, primarily due to their high concentration of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The primary health benefits of marine oils lie in their content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In addition to fatty acids, many marine oils provide important fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins D, A, and E, as well as minerals such as iodine and selenium.

Harmful substances in the waters and seas are accumulating in the fat tissues of fish and other marine life. Fish and marine animals which live near the coastline in estuarial waters or near the bottom of the sea, often show higher levels of environmentally hazardous substances (e.g. dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs)), than fish from the open seas. This also applies to the products (e.g. fish oil, fish meal) which are made from fish, as the raw product.

Legal regulations for environmentally hazardous substances and respective analytical examinations of fish oil, other marine oils and fish meal are contributing to consumer and environmental protection and shall minimize residues and contaminations in the long term.

Our analysis and service offer for fish oil, other marine oils and fishmeal

Fish oil, other marine oils and fishmeal are products with a high nutritional value, which can contribute to an increased supply to the metabolism of humans or animals with certain nutrients (e.g. fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, etc.).

The analytical testing of these products is an elementary part of quality control, with which you can ensure both the health safety of your products and the correctness of the ingredients the product claims to contain.

Reliability and quality

Our analytical methods meet all requirements of national and international norms and standards as well as food retail and trade association requirements. Daily QA checks ensure this quality for every result that leaves our laboratories. We are also there for you after the analytical testing: With our expertise, we support you in the interpretation of your results. Results controlling in our online portal EOL gives you maximum clarity, from the order to the pivot table.

Legal bases and guidelines   

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants-Regulation)
• Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed
• GOED Voluntary Monograph as the omega-3 industry’s standard of quality

Flyers and brochures

Eurofins flyer: Marine Oils 
Eurofins flyer: Dioxine 
Eurofins flyer: Mineral Oils 
Eurofins flyer: Arsenic 
Eurofins flyer: 3-MCPD 
Eurofins flyer: Bisphenols 
Eurofins flyer: PAH 

Membership and approvals of individual Eurofins laboratories^(*)

• Global Organization of EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED)
• IFFO - The Marine Ingredients Organisation

Other interesting pages

Image: ©iStockphoto.com/Kativ