Originates noted a Columbian distillation plant offered advantages because it was located near to the Peruvian fisheries it sourced most of its fish oils from.
“Expertise, capabilities and location all factor into the right ingredients, and Originates is equipped to meet demand in both the US and the international market place effectively,” the company said in a statement.
Gelatin sources in Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador were also close by, which allowed the company to “maintain the highest level of raw-material freshness”.
The company was also developing omega-3s sourced from "plants unique to latin America", sales director Leslie van der Meulen told NutraIngredients-USA.com.
He said initial contact had been made with major dietary supplements manufacturers such as NBTY and food, cosmetic and animal applications were being investigated.
Originates, formerly known as GMI Gelatin, has been producing fish and plant-sourced omega-3s, 6s and 9s since last year but is now intensifying its efforts in the area under the EssentiOmega umbrella and broadening the range to include gelatine and fiber sources.
The company is specialising in custom blends between plant and marine sources and has joined forces with the Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED), an omega-3 trade association.
“We are pleased to have Originates as a member of GOED,” said GOED executive director Adam Ismail. “Having companies with a strong commitment to the growth of the industry as well as the expertise to provide quality ingredients that meet an array of manufacturing needs is essential to industry stability and growth.”
Omega-3, particularly the longer chain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been linked to numerous health benefits, including heart health and mental health.
Sustainability
Originates has played up the sustainability of its fish stocks in a climate where there has been a lot of criticism in this area.
According to a recent paper, entitled ‘Are dietary recommendations for the use of fish oils sustainable?’, insufficient attention has been paid to the potential environmental impact of increased fish consumption.
The researchers claim there is now “little doubt about the gravity of the fisheries crisis”, adding that fish farming is not likely to solve the problem because wild fish are needed to feed the farmed fish.
But GOED says omega-3 production is not a major contributor to the depletion of fish stocks as only about 6-10 percent of the total 1m tons of crude fish oil produced per year is refined to produce omega-3 for human consumption.
The figure from the International Fishmeal and Fish oil Organization (IFFO) is even smaller, placing human consumption at less than three percent.
Originates has for 35 years specialized in versions of Kosher beef gelatine.