Fish Oil Softgel OEM/ODM: Oil Weight, EPA & DHA Specifications

Separate the three numbers in the brief

A fish oil project needs separate targets for total oil, EPA, and DHA. They describe different quantities. NIH explains that omega-3 supplement compositions vary, so the amount of fish oil alone does not identify the amounts of its individual omega-3 fatty acids. A buyer comparing quotes should keep those figures in separate columns.

For an illustrative development calculation, 600 mg of an oil specified as 30% EPA and 20% DHA would contribute 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA before considering assay conventions or formulation adjustments. This arithmetic is not a recommended intake or a complete label. It shows why an oil specification matters more than a capsule photograph.

Request an identifiable oil grade

Ask for the supplier, grade, fatty acid profile, chemical form, origin information, and certificate of analysis. Establish whether the quoted composition is a minimum specification, a nominal target, or a result for one particular lot. Have the development team reconcile the supplier assay basis with the proposed finished-product declaration.

The sourcing review should also identify antioxidants or other added components, relevant contaminant specifications, and the agreed oxidation testing approach. Avoid describing every oil as interchangeable because each carries the same ingredient name. Record which changes require approval, including a different supplier, concentration, or carrier blend, before accepting a procurement substitution.

Compare capsule size at an equivalent composition

A more concentrated oil may allow a different fill amount for the same EPA and DHA target, but capsule selection still needs a physical development review. Ask for dimensions, fill weight, density assumptions, shell details, and representative samples. Do not compare a one-capsule concept with a two-capsule concept without adjusting the serving calculation.

Consider a buyer receiving two proposals with identical front-panel oil weights but different fatty acid profiles. The useful next step is a side-by-side formulation worksheet, not an immediate price ranking. It should show what each serving contains, which capsule tooling is proposed, and whether the finished product meets the same agreed composition.

Make stability and sensory checks product-specific

Set the evaluation plan for the actual oil, shell, and finished package. Discuss which measurements will track ingredient content and oil condition, and how odor, leakage, or changes in capsule appearance will be recorded. A fresh sample supports initial evaluation; it does not demonstrate that a shipping route or shelf-life target has been achieved.

Keep retained oil and capsule samples linked to their lot numbers. If an unexpected odor appears, compare the incoming oil, unpackaged softgels, and packaged samples through a documented investigation. A flavor addition should not become a shortcut for deciding that an oil quality concern has been resolved. Agree on the evidence required for that decision.

Review the US label alongside sourcing

FDA identifies fish as a major food allergen. Have a qualified reviewer assess the source information and applicable allergen labeling for the specific product, including the shell and any other ingredients. A general supplier statement about purity does not replace a finished-label review or an examination of manufacturing cross-contact controls.

Before artwork approval, reconcile the serving size, total oil declaration, EPA and DHA quantities, other ingredients, and any sourcing statements against one controlled formula. Ask who will review label revisions after an oil substitution. That final comparison helps prevent a familiar mistake: ordering a correctly filled capsule while publishing numbers from a different oil grade.

Common questions