Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate

Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate suppliers and sourcing guide

Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate is made from crude fish oil by reacting it with ethanol to split the fatty acids from glycerol as ethyl esters, then concentrating EPA and DHA by molecular distillation or chromatography. This lets suppliers reach much higher EPA and DHA levels than natural fish oil. Brands buy it in bulk at a stated EPA and DHA content for softgels, and it is also the starting material for re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) oils.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Oils and fats
Also known as: Fish oil ethyl esters · EPA and DHA ethyl esters · Omega-3 EE concentrate · Concentrated fish oil (EE form)
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

Standard concentrates
Ethyl ester oils sold at stated EPA and DHA levels, often expressed as an EPA/DHA ratio and total omega-3 content.
High-EPA or high-DHA grades
Concentrates enriched toward one fatty acid for targeted formulas.
Re-esterified triglyceride (rTG)
Ethyl esters converted back to triglycerides with glycerol, sold as a separate, more expensive grade.
Flavored or stabilized oil
Concentrate with added tocopherols, rosemary extract or flavor for liquid products.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

EPA, DHA and total omega-3: Fatty acids by GC as ethyl esters (for example Ph. Eur. 2.4.29 or the USP monograph method), reported in mg/g and percent.
Peroxide and anisidine values: Peroxide value (AOCS Cd 8b-90) for primary oxidation and p-anisidine value for secondary oxidation, often combined as TOTOX; these show how fresh the oil is at release.
Dioxins, PCBs and metals: Dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs by GC-HRMS, plus lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic by ICP-MS; this is the standard contaminant panel for marine oils.
Ethyl ester content and oligomers: Percentage of ethyl esters and of oligomers and partial glycerides, which show how complete the conversion and distillation were.
Residual ethanol: Ethanol and any other process solvent by headspace GC.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store sealed under nitrogen, cool and away from light; many suppliers specify refrigeration. Concentrated EPA and DHA oxidize faster than natural fish oil, so limit headspace and exposure once a drum is opened. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and peroxide, anisidine and TOTOX are retested on aged stock.

Lots and expiry dates

EPA and DHA levels, oxidation values and contaminant results change lot to lot, so record the actual values from each COA. Rotate first-expiry, first-out and re-test any opened drum before use.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

Health Canada's fish oil monograph covers fish oil in its natural or concentrated triglyceride form and in its concentrated esterified form.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry POL-NF-00340, for ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish oil, lists them as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
GRN 819, for fatty acid ethyl esters from Alaskan pollock notified by Organic Technologies for use in place of other edible fats and oils in foods, closed with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate can brands buy?

Common forms include standard concentrates, high-EPA or high-DHA grades, re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) and flavored or stabilized oil. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate include?

Expect ePA, DHA and total omega-3, peroxide and anisidine values, dioxins, PCBs and metals, ethyl ester content and oligomers and residual ethanol, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate be stored?

What is the regulatory status of Omega-3 ethyl ester concentrate?

Health Canada's fish oil monograph covers fish oil in its natural or concentrated triglyceride form and in its concentrated esterified form. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry POL-NF-00340, for ethyl esters of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish oil, lists them as not novel in food supplements. GRN 819, for fatty acid ethyl esters from Alaskan pollock notified by Organic Technologies for use in place of other edible fats and oils in foods, closed with FDA having no questions.

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