"School's in" for Omega-3: until domestic processors are schooled on the novel options for omega-3 fortification, American diets will continue to slip below a passing grade

Prepared Foods, Jan, 2005 by Marcia A. Wade

Like Mighty Bites ice cream and fish oil, there are many options available for formulators to make products that would beneficially increase omega-3 consumption in western diets. "We tested 120 children at the Harriet Tubman Charter School (Bronx, N.Y.) and each one was severely deficient in EFAs and already showed indications of cardiovascular and diabetic tendencies," says Thomas.

She feels her studies have proven that processed foods formulated with omega-3s can, in some cases, reverse the symptoms of children with learning difficulties. Hers is an example many other American companies can follow, as there are many more patterns of malnutrition to correct.

Oil Change

Before attempting to increase the omega-3 content in food applications, Brian Langdon suggests processors consider the following points.

* Does it make nutritive sense to fortify the product with omega-3? Is the application appropriate?

* Is the product pure indulgence? Does the sensory appeal of this product trump a potentially less tasty, but more nutritious product?

* Can the consumer accept a more nutritious and more desirable product at the cost of a shorter shelflife?

* "Will normal processing conditions destroy the omega-3 in the final product?

Going Global

From October 2001 through October 2004, nearly 790 products globally have espoused the words "omega3" in their product description, with some 386 and 75 products noting the presence of "DHA" and "EPA," respectively, reports Mintel's Global New Products Database (GNPD, Chicago).

A majority of these omega-3 product introductions are in the international arena. Wonder Pan (Azcapotzalco, Mexico) de Linaza (linseed bread) launched October 2004 by Bimbo is said to contain DHA-omega-3 from a vegetable source. Nestle launched several products with omega-3 in other countries, but without an American equivalent. Nestle's (Casilla, Chile) omega-3 milk powder is formulated with 700mg of omega-6 and 87mg of omega-3 from canola oil to help heart health.

With 7g of total fat and 3g of saturated fat, Kumho Foods' (Qingdao, China) Vanilla Pie is a mild, soft cake with a sweet vanilla cream filling and added DHA. The ingredient legend does not reveal the source of the DHA, although eggs are listed. Eggs have recently become a popular source of omega-3 around the world. Some companies feed chickens algae to increase the DHA and EPA in eggs.

Australia-based Freedom Foods (Cheltenham)introduced vegetarian-suitable Omega Bars in August 2004. The GNPD notes that the bars contain 1.24% EPA/DHA powder; however, only flaxseed oil was listed on the ingredient label.

Of the 19 RTD juices and juice drinks with omega-3 introduced between January 1999 and October 2004, only one, California Day Fresh Foods' (Glendora, Calif.) Naked Juice was launched in the U.S. Glockengold's (Laucha, Germany) Balance Tropic Cherry with omega-3-fatty acids is the newest of four German juices which have all debuted in 2004. Eight of the 19 were launched in 2004. Riobella from German company W. Kirberg (Paderborn) is unique in that fish oil is used in this chilled grapefruit and elderberry-flavored drink.