New consumer website to help boost sales of oil-rich fish

www.richinomega3.com explains the health benefits of long-chain omega 3s EPA and DHA

A new consumer website has been unveiled by the Omega 3 Group to help boost sales of oil-rich fish by explaining the variety of health benefits of the long-chain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA.

“There is logical evidence that the consumption of oil-rich fish may increase if people understood more about the health benefits of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids,” explained Omega 3 Group member and developer of the website, Ken Hughes of Scottish Quality Salmon.

The Omega 3 Group recently conducted some consumer research with 400 people responsible for the main household food shopping, which concluded that there was a general vagueness about the actual health benefits of oil-rich fish.

“Although there were various reasons given for why fish is considered to be a healthy food, the presence of omega 3s was not commonly given. Only 28% of those who regularly ate fish recognised that it contained the health enhancing omega 3 fatty acids,” added Hughes.

Interviewees tended not to know what specific health benefits are provided by omega 3s, with only 11% recognising the heart health benefits. Commenting on the many health benefits of long-chain omega 3s, contributor to the site and nutritionist Julie Dean said: “Long-chain omega 3s are much more than just good for the heart - their role in health is extensive. They also have potential benefits for your brain, eyes, skin, joints and your immune system.

“There is also good reason for long-chain omega 3 fatty acids at every stage of life, from pregnant women to babies, through adulthood and into the senior years. This is an important step in educating people about the many health benefits at every life stage,” she added.

Long-standing advice from the Food Standards Agency notes that people in the UK eat, on average, only a third of a portion of oil-rich fish a week and heart disease killed some 117,500 people in 2002. Former Chair of the Food Standards Agency Sir John Krebs has previously noted that: “Eating just one portion of oily fish a week has clear-cut health benefits.”

www.richinomega3.com provides a wealth of information, from an overview of omega 3s and the daily requirements, through to a summary of the heart and other health benefits, as well as guidance on the benefits for different life stages.

Notes to editors:

1. In March of this year the Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI) ruled that oil-rich fish could be promoted to consumers with a positive message about its beneficial effects on the heart. For further information visit www.jhci.org.uk.

2. The Omega-3 Group was established in 2002 to investigate the potential for increasing the consumption of oil-rich seafood through communicating the benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The Group evolved through the Scottish Food and Drink Health Enhancing Foods Initiative supported by Scottish Enterprise. Members of the Group include company representatives from industry and the main fish farming, seafood and economic development organisations operating in Scotland, such as Scottish Quality Salmon, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Seafood Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Executive Health Department.

3. Julie Dean BSc (Hons) SRD FRSH R.Nutr is a nutritionist and state registered dietitian.

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For further information contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Quality Salmon, +44 (0)1738 587000 or 07974 173739

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