Omega-3 tablets, not capsules

ONE of the most beneficial supplements for a wide range of consumers, from pre-natal to old age, Omega 3 preparations enjoy steady growth in the nutritional supplement market worldwide.

Omega-3 is usually available in capsules, but a new development from SternVitamin will allow pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to offer Omega-3 tablets for the first time. This breakthrough offers a number of advantages from a manufacturing and consumer perspective.

“With our new Omega-3 powder, any company that already manufactures tablets can make Omega-3 tablets on their existing equipment, whereas soft gel capsules often have to be outsourced to contract manufacturers,” said Jan Heuer, Head of Business Unit SternVitamin. “This lets these companies benefit from the growing demand for Omega-3 products.”

Product-wise, tablets made from SternVitamin’s Omega-3 powder are odor- and flavor-neutral, which means they are free from unpleasant fish taste and will not cause reflux symptoms like burping. The tablets have a comparatively long shelf-life of three years. The powder itself has a shelf-life of two years, a plus for production and sales.

In addition, the powder easily combines with other ingredients like vitamins, minerals and plant extracts, allowing companies to create new products. In combination with zinc, the tablet will result in a preparation for beautiful skin.  With B vitamins, the tablet can also boost concentration and performance. With folic acid, the Omega-3 powder tablet becomes a special nutritional supplement for pregnant women. Through these target-group specific concepts, Omega-3 tablets offer maximum value creation potential through additional marketing possibilities.

“Our new powder contains 18% Omega-3 fatty acids,” said Jan Heuer. “A one gram tablet therefore has 162 mg Omega-3 fatty acids, with 135 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).” Depending on the size, one or two tablets cover the WHO and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommended daily intake of 250 mg EPA and DHA. The bioavailability of the fatty acids in the tablets is at least as good as with the capsules.