A spokesman told NutraIngredientsUSA.com: “The new powder offers up to 105 mg of EPA and DHA per gram. Because fish oil is a natural ingredient, the ratio of EPA and DHA varies. This ratio usually is around 2:1 but it could fluctuate between 3:1 and 1:1.”
Dry blend applications include meal replacement powders, protein powders, weight management powders, and powdered sports drinks.
Oxidation
The dry powder version of MEG-3 has an additional, patent-pending, carbohydrate layer that provides protection against oxidation. This helps to guard against the effects of repeatedly opening and closing multi-serve containers.
Jon Getzinger, chief sales and marketing officer with Ocean Nutrition Canada said: "Nutrition Business Journal recently reported that powders, formulas, and drinks represented 94 percent of sports supplement sales in 2009.
“We see great potential for our new powder for manufacturers of sports and weight management applications. Increased awareness and consumption of Omega-3 EPA/DHA by athletes and other fitness groups make our new powder a great addition to these types of applications.”
Getzinger also said the new product would be particularly suited to the children’s powdered drinks sector.
New Brunswick based Ocean Nutrition Canada, part of Clearwater Fine Foods Incorporated, claims to be the world's largest supplier of Omega-3 EPA and DHA ingredients from fish oil, marketed into the dietary supplement and food manufacturing markets.
MEG-3 ingredients have been included in nearly 80bn servings of food and supplement products worldwide, claims the company.
Powdered fish oil
MEG-3 is a purified, powdered fish oil which is said to have no impact on taste, smell, or consistency of the food product. The oils are sourced mainly from anchovy fished off the West coast of South America.
According to market analysts Nielsen: Omega-3 sales grew 42 percent last year reflecting a growing interest in healthy eating and lower product prices.
Discovered 80 years ago, a wealth of science supports the health benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. Those include heart health, brain function, combating depression, safeguarding pregnancy, eye health and cutting the risk of cancers.
The most widely available source of EPA and DHA is oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. But new sources from krill oil and, for ALA, from vegetables are also becoming popular.