Several dairy processors developed milk products with omega-3s. It provided them with a holy grail in the dairy category: a differentiated, value-added milk. Along the way, product development evolved from using marine sources of the ingredient to plant-based ones.
Horizon Organic, a brand of White Wave Foods, last year took the extra step of delivering omega-3s in a package clearly aimed at children. Single-serve, shelf-stable milk boxes augmented the brand's half-gallon omega-3 milk. The "first on-the-go milk product enhanced with 32 mg DHA omega-3" made it easy for parents to slip the nutraceutical into children's lunch boxes. It even came n chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Horizon points out its omega-3 comes from a sustainable, plant-based and vegetarian source, "free from ocean-borne contaminants, does not contribute to overfishing and is a better option for those following a vegetarian diet. Additionally, the DHA omega-3 in Horizon Organic products neither contains nor is made with GMOs or with hexane. Horizon Organic sources its DHA, called Life’sDHA, from DSM Nutritional Products."
While the omega-3s in the orange juice and milk are ingredients added during processing, in eggs the nutraceutical is added upstream. The omega-3s in Eggland's Best eggs come from the canola oil and flax seeds that are part of the company's unique feed, the company explains. "The Eggland's Best nutritional program specifies inclusion of canola oil and flax seed in diets in proportions which will contribute to the desired level of omega-3 fatty acids in the eggs," the company explains. "Each week, producers submit eggs for inspection to determine that the levels of omega-3 fatty acids are as required."
Even regular shell eggs contain some naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, on average about 30mg per egg, points out the American Egg Board. But omega-3-enhanced eggs provide more, from 100mg to more 600mg per egg.
The difficulty with fish-derived omegas was a distinct fish odor and aftertaste, especially when delivered in the amounts believed to be necessary for benefit. (These amounts differ according to the experts, but most suggest a minimum of 200mg per day; nutrition and health researchers typically recommend from 500-2,000mg per day for optimal benefits.) There currently is no legal recommended daily amount, and dosages of up to several grams per day are easily and safely tolerated.)
Around a decade ago, microencapsulation technology made it possible for fish oil-derived omegas to be incorporated into formulations without leaving off odors or flavors. This opened the door to omegas’ application in orange juice, chocolate and bread. In some early formulations, there still sometimes was a slight marine aftertaste, but these technical challenges were overcome.
At the same time, a plant form of omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid, (ALA), specifically from flax seed, was gaining in popularity for food & beverage developers. ALA is found in grains and seeds, and is especially well concentrated in flax, hemp and chia. The drawback to ALA is that research had long indicated it is absorbed by the body at only about 10 percent the rate of DHA and EPA.