As approximately 80% of individuals globally fall short of the recommended EPA and DHA omega-3 intake, GOED is dedicated to improving this statistic by rallying its members, communications partners and the public to shine a spotlight on these important nutrients.
The organisation has compiled resources about the role of EPA and DHA omega-3s in heart, brain, eye and prenatal health. A free consumer communications toolkit with downloadable graphics and content is available at GlobalOmega3Day.com.
"It's a day in which we've tried to bring the whole industry around to educate about the benefits of EPA and DHA, getting the word out to customers, consumers, media and influencers," Ellen Schutt, managing director for GOED, informed the industry at the organisation's biannual conference in Athens last month.
"A lot of out members really banded together last year and created a lot of conversation around Omega-3 Day and we want to continue to build that momentum in the years to come."
In fact, the industry's efforts led to the highest number of internet searches for terms such as 'omega-3', 'DHA/EPA' and 'fish oil' witnessed in the last 20 years, and that trend was seen across the globe.
"When we saw this repor,t we were really excited and that's all thanks to the industry for making that a reality," Schutt said.
This year, the organisation recommends a range of ways for industry players to get involved, including:
Social media engagement: Share information about EPA and DHA omega-3s through social media channels, utilizing the key messages provided in GOED’s toolkit, along with sample social media posts and graphics, to inspire and educate audiences.
Events and webinars: Host an influencer or consumer-focused event. This could range from a lunch-and-learn session with physicians or pharmacists, an in-store event with a major retailer, to a webinar tailored for your business' customers.
Media outreach: Pitch your local media, collaborate with a company spokesperson, engage a local influencer, or offer a GOED expert for interviews to maximize media coverage.
Consumer discounts: Brands are encouraged to offer a limited-time discount or deal on products for Global Omega-3 Day with the discount code OMEGA3DAY.
Contests and giveaways: Consider hosting a contest or giveaway for consumers by encouraging participants to share their plans for increasing omega-3 intake and using the hashtag #GlobalOmega3Day.