Iceland-based Hjaltason has been involved in the omega-3 industry for more than 30 years and is Norwegian supplier, EPAX’s strategic business development manager.
Hjaltason is a member of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids, AOCS and Lipid Forum and has written several papers on the omega-3 field. Hjaltason holds a degree in chemistry from University of Iceland and conducted post-research work at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.
“I look forward to leading GOED’s board of directors as we work to grow the organisation’s membership, provide education on the rapidly expanding omega-3 industry and communicate the many health benefits of these essential fatty acids,” said Hjaltason.
“The most important task for GOED is to protect and move the EPA and DHA omega-3 category forward. There is more world-wide attention on this category than ever before which provides both challenges and opportunities. The work that GOED is doing on behalf of the omega-3 industry this year is at a crucial point and I’m excited to see our goals accomplished.”
Hjaltason previously worked for other Scandinavian companies Pronova Biocare of Norway and MD of Lysihf, Reyjavik, Iceland.
GOED has about 90 member companies that include refiners, manufacturers, distributors, marketers, retailers and supporters of products containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids.
On its website describes itself as, “proactive and accountable association of the finest manufacturers, marketers, and supporters of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, working to educate consumers and work with government groups, the healthcare community and the industry, while setting high ethical and quality standards for our business sector.”
EPAX buyout
EPAX was purchased in September for €70m by Trygg Pharma – a joint venture between krill player, Aker Biomarine, and New York-based private investment firm, Lindsay Goldberg.
“Epax truly represents the finest of Norway’s fish oil manufacturing traditions,” Aaron Kramer, former president of pharmaceuticals and omega-3 concentrates at Aker BioMarine and the new CEO of Trygg Pharma, said at the time.
Frederik Nygaard, CFO of Aker BioMarine, told NutraIngredients that Aker BioMarine and Trygg would be developed independently, “but there will be an agreement regarding krill pharmaceuticals”. He added that this would not affect the dietary supplements.