Omega-3 EPA & DHA Complex

Omega-3 reference formula with EPA and DHA from fish oil, shown with example amounts of 1280 mg total omega-3, 650 mg EPA and 450 mg DHA per serving and set by the brand, developed as a softgel or liquid.

Omega-3 EPA & DHA Complex is a reference formula for brands building a fish-oil product around the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The formula carries total omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA as its actives, and the work centers on three decisions: the chemical form of the oil, the EPA to DHA balance and the oxidation protection of the finished oil.

The amounts named on this page are examples for the brand to adjust rather than a standard. Softgel is the lead format, with a liquid oil as the second format.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids1280 mg (example amount)Purified fish oil concentrate (anchovy and sardine source in the reference formula), total omega-3 content set by the brandTriglyceride, ethyl ester or phospholipid form of the oil, each with the input set to the same labeled omega-3 amount
EPA650 mg (example amount)EPA within the fish oil concentrateHigher-EPA concentrate or a separate EPA-rich oil, set with the supplier
DHA450 mg (example amount)DHA within the fish oil concentrateHigher-DHA concentrate or algal DHA oil for a plant-based project, set with the supplier

Amounts are shown as printed on the labels: total omega-3 fatty acids includes the EPA and DHA that are listed beside it. EPA is C20H30O2 at 302.5 g/mol (PubChem CID 5282847) and DHA is C22H32O2 at 328.5 g/mol (CID 445580) as free fatty acids. The same labeled milligrams mean a different amount of fatty acid when the oil is bound as an ethyl ester or a triglyceride, so amounts are not converted between binding forms.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around heart and circulatory nutrition and daily EPA and DHA intake. The amounts and the oil form are set by the brand.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Heart and circulatory nutritionEPA, DHAA Cochrane review of trials of long-chain omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) found that increasing intake slightly reduces coronary heart disease mortality and events, with moderate- and low-certainty evidence mainly from supplement trials [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Triglyceride nutritionEPA, DHAThe same review found that increasing long-chain omega-3 reduced serum triglycerides by about 15% in a dose-dependent way, with high-certainty evidence [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Delivery formFish oil in triglyceride, ethyl ester or phospholipid formBioavailability of EPA and DHA varies with the chemical binding form, the food matrix and the galenic form [2]. Evidence: Referenced

The design sets the oil form and the EPA to DHA balance first and the amount second. Brands that want vitamin D, vitamin E or other lipids in the same product move to a separate combination project.

Available Formats

Two formats can be developed from this reference formula. The brand sets pack counts; the figures here are opening suggestions.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Softgel2 softgelsOmega-3 1280 mg (EPA 650 mg, DHA 450 mg)120 softgels (60 servings)Gelatin, glycerin, water, natural lemon flavor, D-alpha tocopherol, rosemary extractLead format; oil sealed in a shell
Liquid1 teaspoon (5 mL)Omega-3 1280 mg (EPA 650 mg, DHA 450 mg)150 mL bottle (30 servings)Carrier oil, natural flavor, D-alpha tocopherol, rosemary extractBulk oil format for brands that want a flavored liquid

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input assumes a fish oil concentrate with 32% EPA, 22% DHA and 63% total omega-3, which are assumed values and not a specification, so one serving needs about 2050 mg of oil to reach the example EPA and DHA amounts.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Softgel1025 mg oil per softgel (2 per serving)1200 mg per softgel175 mg antioxidants, flavor and carrier oilFatty acid profile by assay, oxidation indicators, shell compatibility, fill weight
Liquid2050 mg oil per 5 mL4600 mg per 5 mL2550 mg carrier oil, flavor and antioxidantsFatty acid profile by assay, oxidation indicators, taste, bottle headspace

Hard capsule, gummy and powder versions are separate projects, because an oil needs a sealed shell or a micro-encapsulated powder.

Formulation Considerations

Binding form of the oil. Triglyceride, ethyl ester and phospholipid forms of EPA and DHA are different raw materials with different costs and bioavailability behavior [2]. The reference label does not set the form, so the choice is made with the supplier before the input is calculated.
EPA to DHA balance. The four example rows keep EPA to DHA near 3 to 2, and the design follows this with a 32% EPA and 22% DHA concentrate as an assumed starting point. A brand that wants a DHA-led or EPA-led product changes the concentrate, not the format.
Oxidation protection. The reference formula pairs the oil with D-alpha tocopherol and rosemary extract, and the design keeps an antioxidant system in the balance of each unit. Oxidation indicators of the oil are checked on the raw material and on finished units over shelf life.
Fill size and source. At about 2050 mg of oil per serving, two 1200 mg softgels or one 5 mL dose are needed. The source fish named on the reference label, anchovy and sardine, carries fish allergen labeling in most sales markets and is confirmed with the supplier.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the omega-3 amount, the EPA to DHA balance, the oil form, the shell and the flavor.

ParameterRangeNote
Omega-3 per servingExample rows from 500 to 1280 mgThe brand sets the dose
EPA to DHA balanceAbout 3 to 2, or DHA-led or EPA-ledChanges the concentrate
Oil formTriglyceride, ethyl ester or phospholipidSets the cost and the input calculation [2]
ShellGelatin or plant-basedReference formula uses gelatin
Add-onsVitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin AEach addition changes the fill and is a separate project

The pilot run confirms the EPA and DHA content of the first units by assay, the oxidation indicators of the oil and of the finished softgel, and the compatibility of the shell with the antioxidant and flavor system.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
SoftgelLemonThe reference formula uses natural lemon flavor in the fill
LiquidLemon, orange, mintCitrus and mint profiles cover the fish oil note in a bulk liquid

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (Omega-3 Fatty Acids 1280 mg + EPA 650 mg + DHA 450 mg on the label of CF034995; example DSLD labels 288751, 288753, 313197). The label names the oil as purified deep sea fish oil from anchovies and sardines; the chemical binding form is set with the supplier.
SpecificationSet in formulationTotal omega-3, EPA and DHA per serving on the binding form chosen with the supplier; fatty acid profile, oxidation 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: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

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