Scottish Quality Salmon welcomes advice of seven leading UK scientists

Independent scientists agree new heart health claim for long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Scottish Quality Salmon welcomes the advice of seven leading, independent UK scientists that eating long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids helps maintain heart health.

Commenting on the advice Brian Simpson, Chief Executive of Scottish Quality Salmon said: “The science pertaining to the health benefits of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is extensive, however, this is the first time that such an authoritative endorsement of the heart health claim has been made in the UK.

“The health enhancing long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in oil-rich fish such as Scottish farmed salmon, but unfortunately people in the UK eat only a third of a portion of oil-rich fish a week on average.

“Heart disease killed some 117,500 people in 2002, so this is an important step in educating people about the heart health benefits of consuming long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

“There is obviously a clear need for information about omega-3 that is simple, precise and unchanging. This legal, scientific endorsement of the heart health benefits will now enable this to happen,” he added.

Earlier this week, the advice of the seven UK scientists formed the basis of the Joint Health Claims Initiative announcement that by ‘eating 3g weekly, or 0.45g daily, long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as part of a healthy lifestyle, helps maintain heart health’.

The ruling applies to all oil-rich fish, but is particularly welcomed by Scottish Quality Salmon member companies, as their fish is continually monitored to ensure that long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) levels remain high. This means that eating two portions of Scottish Quality Salmon a week will deliver at least the omega-3 levels referred to in the approved claim.

When the forthcoming EU Nutrition and Health Claims Regulations come in to force, all health claims will require approval by the European Food Safety Authority. due to come into force in late 2005 / early 2006.

Notes to editors:

1. The seven UK scientists are members of the Scientific Committee that advise the Joint Health Claims Initiative (JHCI), which ruled earlier this week that oil-rich fish can be promoted to consumers with a positive message about its beneficial effects on the heart.

2. The JHCI is a unique joint venture between consumer organisations, enforcement authorities and industry trade associations in the UK to establish a Code of Practice for health claims on food. The JHCI works to ensure that health claims are:

· Scientifically true when applied to food;
· Legally acceptable under the current UK food law;
· Meaningful and not confusing to consumers.

For further information visit www.jhci.org.uk <http://www.jhci.org.uk>.

3. The Food Standards Agency recommends that “girls and women who might have a child one day, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, can have up to two portions of oily fish a week. Other women, men and boys can have up to four portions of oily fish a week.” Source: <http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2004/jun/oilyfishwebcast>.

4. Scottish Quality Salmon is dedicated to improving the quality and sustainability of salmon farming in Scotland - from feed companies through to salmon smokers and processors - the whole production chain. Membership now represents approximately 65% of the tonnage produced by the Scottish salmon farming industry.

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For further information contact either Ken Hughes, Scottish Quality Salmon, +44 (0)1738 587000 or 07974 173739 or Julie Edgar, 01738 587000 or 0789 9875151

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