RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2010
Don't give fish oils a bad name
PCB chemicals hiding in fish oil? Who would have thought that even taking a fish oil supplement would be dangerous? The fact is that fish oils when chosen properly are not dangerous at all and actually have many health benefits. Some of the numerous health benefits include cardiovascular, eyesight and cognitive improvement as well as anti-inflammatory properties, not to mention ladies it makes your skin, hair and nails look shinier, stronger and healthier.
The issue lies in the fact that PCB's, a toxic chemical commonly used in the 60's and 70's but now banned, are still lurking in our oceans. Six fish oil manufacturers are facing a lawsuit for labeling violations under the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, otherwise known as Proposition 65. In short, Proposition 65 requires consumers to be warned about such exposures. The argument is that these fish oil supplements contain polychlorinated biphenyl, most commonly known as PCB, and companies that sell fish oils should be warning consumers. As a frame of reference it is important to realize PCB contamination is a global problem and it has left its impact on many foods, not just fish oil. Standards for PCB contamination have been set for many foods as well as fish oil supplements. For example, the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S.A. allows 200 ppb (parts per billion) in infant foods. In Australia, the maximum limit allowed in dairy/eggs is 200 ppb and in fish it is 50 ppb. The Council for Responsible Nutrition has set the safe standard for PCB's in fish oil at 90 ppb.
An easy way to detect whether your fish oil is safe is through independent testing certifications such as the one provided by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS). IFOS is a third party impartial lab which validates the quality of our fish oils. The World Health Organization and the Council for Responsible Nutrition recognize IFOS as a leader in quality assurance. IFOS performs a series of tests including PCB, Dioxins, Heavy metals, Stability, and potency testing. The results are then released in a Consumer Report and are available for viewing online at www.ifosprogram.com. The key lesson that consumers should take away from this lawsuit and accompanying media craze, is not that fish oils are dangerous but that one must choose fish oils carefully.
