GOED Launches Technical Report on Compositional Requirements for rTGs Rich in EPA and DHA

GOED (the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega‑3s) published a technical report that pulls together compositional requirements for re‑esterified triglyceride (rTG) oils rich in EPA and/or DHA. The report is designed as a practical reference: what different standards say, where they overlap, and where they leave room for interpretation.

Key Findings from the GOED Technical Report

It also explains (in plain manufacturing terms) how rTGs are made (typically by enzymatic or chemical esterification of glycerol with omega‑3 fatty acid ethyl esters) and why that matters for composition. Depending on the process and the clean‑up steps, an “rTG” oil can still contain measurable amounts of residual ethyl esters, partial glycerides, free fatty acids, oligomers, and glycerol.

GOED's report summarizes regulations and standards from global authorities, including:

• Pharmacopeial Monographs (British, European, USP):

• Minimum EPA+DHA content (≥ 45% as triglycerides)

• Minimum total omega-3 acids (≥ 60% as triglycerides)

• Maximum oligomers (≤ 3%)

• Minimum triglycerides (≥ 50%)

• Maximum ethyl esters and free fatty acids (≤ 5%)

• Codex Alimentarius and National Standards:

• Recognize rTGs by process/definition but do not set explicit numerical caps for EE residuals or oligomers

• Categorize fish oils by EPA+DHA concentration (35–50% vs ≥ 50%)

• Require at least 50% of EPA+DHA in triglyceride or phospholipid form

The report includes detailed tables listing regulations and standards from countries such as Canada, China, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Peru, and others, demonstrating broad recognition of rTGs but varying compositional requirements.

Why This Matters

GOED's technical report is a valuable resource for manufacturers, regulators, and quality assurance professionals. It clarifies the regulatory landscape, identifies gaps between pharmacopeial and Codex-type standards, and underscores the importance of explicit compositional limits for product safety and quality.

How the report’s benchmarks compare with the EPAX TGN range

In the report, pharmacopeial monographs (British, European and USP) set clear, numeric limits for a few key quality markers—such as minimum triglycerides and maximum oligomers and residual ethyl esters/free fatty acids. Epax’s own premium specifications for the TGN range go further by tightening those limits and by setting a higher triglyceride purity target.

The takeaway is simple: the standards described in the report establish a regulatory “floor.” The EPAX TGN range is positioned above that floor by setting stricter maximums for known processing‑related components (like oligomers and residual ethyl esters) and by targeting a substantially higher triglyceride purity. That combination helps reduce ambiguity when you need to explain quality to customers, auditors, or internal QA.

Why EPAX goes beyond baseline regulatory standards

Regulatory and monograph requirements are essential, but they’re not always written to distinguish premium rTG quality within a crowded market. That’s where EPAX differentiates: tighter internal limits on key process residues, a higher triglyceride purity target, and specifications that are straightforward to document and communicate. For brands, this can translate into fewer “gray areas” in supplier qualification, clearer product positioning, and stronger support material for quality, technical, and marketing teams.

Keen to learn more? Contact the Epax-team to discuss further!

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