EPA & DHA Oil

EPA and DHA omega-3 reference formula at example amounts of 540 mg and 360 mg per serving, developed as a softgel or liquid.

EPA & DHA is a reference formula for brands building a marine omega-3 product around example amounts of 540 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA per serving, a 3 to 2 ratio of the two long-chain fatty acids. The brand sets the final amounts and the ratio for its market. Reference labels span a wide range of EPA and DHA amounts, so the example is a starting point rather than a standard.

Softgel is the lead format because most reference labels use it, with an oil liquid developed alongside. The work centers on the oil: its EPA and DHA concentration, its chemical form and its oxidation state shape the fill, the antioxidant system, the optional enteric coating and the shelf life.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
EPA540 mg (example amount)Omega-3 concentrate oil from fish or algae, specified as EPA content; 540 mg EPA per servingA different EPA and DHA ratio, or an ethyl ester or triglyceride form, with the input recalculated from the supplier’s assay
DHA360 mg (example amount)The same concentrate oil, specified as DHA content; 360 mg DHA per servingA DHA-richer oil, with the ratio set on the specification

Amounts are stated as mg of EPA and mg of DHA, not of oil. DHA is C22H32O2, 328.5 g/mol (PubChem CID 445580). Triglyceride, ethyl ester and free fatty acid forms carry different weights of oil per mg of the fatty acid, so the specification states the form and the combined EPA and DHA content.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around omega-3 nutrition. EPA and DHA are included together because they are the two long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that marine oils carry.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Long-chain omega-3 intakeEPA, DHAA review states that supplements have reached a prominent role in improving the supply of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, and that their availability is highly variable and determined by chemical binding form, matrix effects and galenic form [2]. Evidence: Referenced
Cardiovascular outcomesEPA, DHAA Cochrane review of 86 randomized trials with 162,796 participants found that increasing long-chain omega-3 had little or no effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, stroke or arrhythmia, and may slightly reduce coronary heart disease events (low-certainty evidence) [1]. Evidence: Contested

The amounts are examples. The reviews in [1] and [2] cover omega-3 fatty acids in general and do not test this formula, and the Cochrane findings are largely neutral, so the positioning is decided by the brand together with the claim review for each market.

Available Formats

Most reference labels are softgels, with capsules and liquids behind them; softgel and liquid are developed here.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Softgel1 softgelEPA 540 mg, DHA 360 mg60 or 90 softgelsFish gelatin or plant-based shell, glycerin, mixed tocopherols, optional enteric coatingLead format; optional enteric coating
Liquid5 mLEPA 540 mg, DHA 360 mg150 mL bottle (30 servings)Flavor, sweetener, mixed tocopherols, emulsifierOil liquid; flavor needed

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The concentrate oil is assumed to contain 70% EPA and DHA combined, so 900 mg of EPA and DHA needs about 1,286 mg of oil per serving; the supplier’s assay and the ethyl ester or triglyceride form replace this once the grade is chosen.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
SoftgelOmega-3 concentrate oil about 1,286 mg1,350 mg fill64 mgEPA and DHA assay and peroxide value after encapsulation, fill weight spread, shell integrity, enteric coating release
LiquidOmega-3 concentrate oil about 1,286 mg per 5 mL5 mL servingabout 3.8 mL of flavored carrierPeroxide value over shelf life, taste and fishy aftertaste, dosing accuracy of the pump or spoon

Capsule, powder and gummy are separate projects, because a high-concentration omega-3 oil needs microencapsulation or a different oil system to work in those formats.

Formulation Considerations

Oxidation. The oil is highly unsaturated and oxidizes in air. A review points out that marine omega-3 oils are highly prone to oxidation and recommends reporting peroxide and anisidine values [3]. Both are tracked on the incoming oil and on stability, with nitrogen flushing during filling.
Form and absorption. Ethyl esters, triglycerides and free fatty acids differ in bioavailability, and taking the dose with a fat-containing meal also changes it [2]. The specification states the form, and the label directions mention taking the dose with food.
Unit size. 900 mg of EPA and DHA in one softgel needs a concentrate and a large oblong shell. A lower concentration oil roughly doubles the fill or splits the serving over two softgels.
Enteric coating. The reference label lists an enteric coating. A coating delays release to reduce fishy aftertaste and adds a process step with its own release test.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the amounts, the ratio, the oil form, the format and the add-ons.

ParameterRangeNote
EPA and DHA per serving360 + 240, 540 + 360 or 647 + 253 mgExamples for the brand; each pairing changes the oil volume and the softgel size
EPA to DHA ratio3 to 2, 2 to 1 or DHA-richSet by the concentrate oil grade
Oil formTriglyceride or ethyl esterChanges the weight basis and absorption
FormatSoftgel or liquidCapsule, powder and gummy are separate projects
Add-onsVitamin D, vitamin EA second ingredient changes the oil volume and the label copy

The pilot run confirms the EPA and DHA assay and peroxide value after encapsulation, softgel fill and seal, and the release of an enteric coating if used.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
LiquidLemon, orange, mintCitrus and mint flavors cover the marine note of the oil

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (EPA 540 mg + DHA 360 mg on the label of CF008937; example DSLD label 69499, which lists fish body oil among the other ingredients). The label names the two fatty acids by name; the oil form and source are set in formulation.
SpecificationSet in formulationOmega-3 concentrate oil at 540 mg EPA and 360 mg DHA per serving with a stated oil form and source; EPA and DHA assay, peroxide value, anisidine value, acid value, microbial and heavy-metal limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD003177. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Schuchardt JP, Hahn A. Bioavailability of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2013;89(1):1-8. DOI · PubMed<br>[3] Albert BB, Cameron-Smith D, Hofman PL, et al. Oxidation of marine omega-3 supplements and human health. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:464921. DOI · PubMed

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