Growing Demand for Sustainable Health & Nutrition Products
The number of fish oil products carrying the blue ecolabel by MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) has grown to over 650. Consumers today have an unprecedented choice of fish oil supplements which are derived from certified sustainable fisheries.
All over Europe, there is a growing awareness for environmental protection and sustainability. A rapidly increasing number of consumers are asking for sustainable seafood.
At the same time, Europe is facing a growing consumer demand for supplements based on Omega-3 rich fish oils. It is important to ensure that the fish and krill needed for these products are caught sustainably and without causing irreparable harm to the marine environment.
For many, eating certified sustainable fish, as part of a balanced diet, is an effective way of ensuring that we receive the nutrients, protein and oils we need. But there is also a growing preference to supplement diets with fish based products in the form of Omega-3 rich fish oils.
The Importance of Traceability
These supplements provide the health benefits of eating fish in a convenient form which can be taken daily. However, with the raw materials often coming from the species at the bottom of the food chain, such as sardines, anchovies and krill, it is also important to ensure that they are being caught sustainably and without harming the marine environment. Hege Holter Brekke, CEO at Orkla Health said: “The MSC plays an important role in contributing to sustainable fishing practices. Adding the blue MSC label to all bottles of Möller’s Omega-3 Cod Liver Oil gives us the opportunity to proudly tell the story of sustainability and provenance of this 160-year old brand.”
The fish in these supplement products can be traced back to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries which have been independently assessed to meet the world’s most credible and widely recognised standard for sustainable wild fishing. These fisheries are well managed, minimise their impacts on the environment and fish sustainably so that seafood supplies are safeguarded for future generations.
MSC’s Stand and Session at Vitafoods Europe 2019
Supplements and oils are an important area of growth for the MSC. MSC labelled fish oil supplements are sold in over 30 countries globally, these supplements are registered under 51 different license holders. In previous years, the number of fish oil products carrying the MSC ecolabel has grown to over 650. As a result, consumers now have a greater choice of fish oil supplements which come from certified sustainable fisheries.
For the first time ever the MSC have a stand at the trade event “Vitafoods Europe 2019” on 7-9 May 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland: i163 (at the Omega-3 Resource Centre).
The MSC will also host the session: “Sustainable Marine Supplements: Why We Should Care And How It´s Done” with speakers from Möller’s, the GoodFish Foundation and MSC – moderated by GOED on Tuesday, 7 May from 4.20-5.05pm at the Omega-3 Centre.
