11 Mar 2010 --- Cognis Nutrition & Health is reassuring its customers that its Omevital omega-3 fish oil ingredients exceed globally accepted quality tests following media coverage of a California lawsuit filed against dietary supplement manufacturers and retailers. Fish oil was just one of the products mentioned in the lawsuit which also included cod liver oil, shark liver oil and salmon oil.
 
The lawsuit was filed in California where a state law, Proposition 65, requires consumer warning of any known carcinogens such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds. The lawsuit claims that minor trace amounts of PCB compounds should be disclosed under California's Prop 65 regulations.
 
Cognis is not a current supplier of fish oil to any of the retail manufacturers named in the lawsuit. “Cognis’ Omevital omega-3 ingredients are produced with unsurpassed safety standards that meet national as well as worldwide quality markers,” said Jeff Naese, Omevital Regional Product Manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health.
 
Mr. Naese pointed to multiple reasons supporting the Omevital gold standard for quality excellence:
 
• Every batch is tested for more than 250 impurities
• All Omevital products fully comply with FDA health and safety standards
• Strict protocols ensure every batch is tested by an independent third-party lab
• Omevital exceeds the industry standard – the GOED Voluntary Monograph for purity
• Fish oil has been safely used for decades
 
Cognis is a corporate member of GOED, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA omega 3’s. The GOED Monograph develops strict quality standards for marine-sourced omega-3 products to ensure consumer safety. According to GOED, “members must sign affidavits agreeing to manufacture and market products to the Monograph standards as a condition of membership.” Additionally, GOED continues to update the Monograph based on all relevant legislation worldwide, including Proposition 65’s Safe Harbor limits related to carcinogenic activity such as No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) and Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADLs). It should be noted that California's Prop 65 warning limit for PCB’s is significantly lower than the level that the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regard as safe.

Cognis analyzes every single finished batch of fish oil for 250 different impurities including PCBs as calculated according to the toxicity equivalent factor set by the WHO. Compared to Proposition 65, where the daily NSRL level is 90 ng/g as a maximum limit, Cognis’ fish oil registers at a negligible 5 ng/g, dramatically below the NSRL. Cognis also utilizes independent external testing of Omevital products to ensure it meets or exceeds all safety guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies.
 
“Omega-3 fish oils enjoy a strong foundation of health benefits supported by solid scientific research and safety evidence generated by international experts for several decades. When our customers purchase Omevital  omega-3 fish oil they can continue to do so with confidence,” Mr. Naese said.
 
Cognis’ Omevital omega-3 products contain the long-chain fatty acids, EPA and DHA, known to have a variety of health benefits, especially for the heart and brain. The ingredients are kosher, non-GMO and self-affirmed GRAS. Derived from high purity, salt water fish, Cognis exclusively uses sustainable sources to ensure adequate fish stocks and maintain environmental balance. Omevital omega-3s’ superior sensory profile allow the ingredients to be easily formulated in dietary supplements and a wide range of food and beverage applications without altering the taste or smell.