GC Reiber VivoMega AS debuts algal omega-3 ingredient at SupplySide West 2024

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GC Reiber VivoMega AS debuted its omega-3 ingredient VivoMega Algal EPA+DHA at SupplySide West in Las, Vegas, NV. The ingredient was originally launched at Expo West 2024 in March. According to the company, the new ingredient is non-GMO, solvent-free, 90% triglycerides for bioavailability and absorption, and comprises 73% long-chained omega-3 fatty acids.

“As a supplier of sustainable, high-quality marine oils for more than 120 years, we are incredibly pleased that our superior algal EPA and DHA oil has been received so well,” stated Snorre Glærum Strand, CEO of GC Rieber VivoMega, in a press release. “Due to customer requests and our new facility expansion, we’ve been able to more than double our production of VivoMega Algal Oils, and we are thrilled to be showcasing this essential nutrient for the first time at SupplySide West in Las Vegas.”

In an interview with Nutritional Outlook at SupplySide West, Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director of GC Reiber VivoMega AS, offered insights on the ingredient. “We're really excited to see that it's well received in the market,” he explained. “This particular algal ingredient contains both EPA and DHA, versus the previous pure DHA-only. Now it's a more complete omega-3 ingredient while still being a vegan option. We had to actually produce more than we anticipated this year, and we expect that trend to continue into next year. So there seems to be – although compared to what we do with fish, it is still on a small scale – certainly a growing interest. There's also more interest in sustainability and there's more interest in options besides fish.”

The GC Reiber VivoMega AS SupplySide West booth also offered a finger prick test to check omega-3 index levels. Most people are deficient in omega-3s, Søfting explained, likely due to declining consumption of fish in the diets of the western population.

Søfting also explained the expected trends in 2025 for omega-3s, both the ingredient and finished products. “For the ingredients side, some of it is linked to raw materials, such as the algal [oil] we discussed; that seems to be growing and expected to keep growing. The levels of omega-3s in the ingredients seems to be increasing as well. A lot of the market still is at 30% omega-3. When you look at fish oil, it's a lot of 30% fish oil and there’s been a trend to go into 60%, 70%, even 80 or 90% omega-3 content. That means that you can take fewer capsules, which provides more flexibility and it's easier to achieve compliance for the consumer.”

Additionally, the types of practical applications for omega-3 supplements are seeing innovation as well. “With finished products, we certainly see more applications coming out – soft gels being the primary delivery form of omega-3s,” Søfting explained. “Now, there are a lot of good developments coming to market for other types of applications. We expect that to continue with other types of chewable options, which are easier for children and elderly to consume, versus soft gels, but also in other types of applications more suitable for food and beverage. For example, liquid applications or powders that can be incorporated into other types of products as well. Expect a lot to come to market in the coming years.”