Progress Biotech launches EU Organic Certified high DHA algal oil at Vitafoods Expo 2022

09 May 2022 --- Netherlands-based company Progress Biotech is introducing its EU Organic Certified high DHA algal oil at this week’s Vitafoods Expo in a “world’s first.” To date, no other high DHA algal oil has obtained such a certification, the company indicates.

“When something is ground-breaking, and we believe our organic certified algal DHA is, word will travel fast,” remarks Jaap Peters, founder and CEO of Progress Biotech.

Growing demand for algae-based ingredients
Peters tells NutritionInsight that the demand for DHA from algae is growing as a result of different factors. “Apart from purity and full traceability of a plant-based alternative for fish oil, the vegan certification of our product really makes a difference.”

“With this first in the world organic certification for algal DHA, many companies can serve existing markets that have been waiting for an organic certified DHA.”Plant-based ingredients are majorly shaking up the infant nutrition space, with a rising demand for algae-based omega 3 supplements.

The move follows last year’s “novel foods” approval for Progress Biotech’s algal oil’s use in infant formula. Progress Biotech says the certification will broaden its product portfolio and allow certified-organic food producers to fortify their products using the algae-derived omega 3 fatty acid. 

The company, based in Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands, produces a full range of DHA algal oil products, striving for stability and sensory attributes that compete with other omega 3 supplements.

Filling in a gap in nutrition market
The organic certification of Progress Biotech’s algae-derived omega 3 supplement will fill a space, in the organic plant-based and infant nutrition category, for omega 3 that does not rely on traditional sources like cod or tuna.

“Many companies are already on the market promoting organic infant formula products. Until now they had to use an exception rule for DHA because organic DHA was not available on the market,” says Peters.

“With the introduction of this novel ingredient in the infant formula marketplace, an EU organic certified product becomes available for the global producers of such products.”

Algal oil is gaining attention from key industry players. Early this year, DSM expanded its omega algae-derived omega 3 range, along with the launch of a storytelling campaign which promoted ecological consciousness and marine health.

By Olivia Nelson