Twelve original members of the dissolved CRN Omega-3 Working Group have created the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). GOED will build on the accomplishments of the CRN Working Group, including product quality focus and industry acceptance of the voluntary omega-3 monograph. The group will also strive to increase the market and regulatory approvals for EPA- and DHA-based products, develop EPA and DHA consumer awareness and implement education and quality standards to protect the omega-3 EPA/DHA category. Association members include EPA and DHA industry processors, refiners, manufacturers, distributors, marketers and retailers, as well as secondary associates in healthcare, education and research.

“A GOED omega-3 membership provides companies with an unprecedented opportunity to become architects of a new, positive self-regulatory industry framework that will hopefully be implemented worldwide,” said Robert Orr, president and c.e.o., Ocean Nutrition Canada. “There is a huge nutrition gap that will not begin to close until regulations are updated to reflect the results of thousands of clinical studies — only then will the public begin to have access to the daily amount of omega-3 EPA and DHA their bodies need to reap the health benefits. This is one of the new association’s goals.”

The association’s first meeting was held Oct. 6 during Expo East in Baltimore, MD, followed by a second meeting Oct. 19 during Supply Side West in Las Vegas, NV.

The founding members include: Cargill, Inc., Minneapolis, MN; Ceres Consulting, Markham, ON; Croda International PLC, Edison, NJ; Denofa AS, Fredrikstad, Norway; EPAX AS,Lysaker,Norway; Loders Croklaan,Channahon,IL; Lonza/Nutranova,Basel,Switzerland; Marine Nutraceuticals, Mt. Bethel, PA; Martek Biosciences, Columbia, MD; Napro Pharma AS, Brattvaag, Norway; Ocean Nutrition Canada, Dartmouth, NS; and Omega Pure, Houston, TX. The trade association’s office is located in Salt Lake City, UT.