Omega-3s
Campaign on EU Policies for Omega-3 Fats
London Metropolitan is co-ordinating an international effort by leading scientists specialising in omega-3 fatty acids to improve important EU proposals in this area.
LATEST NEWS
The group called for the withdrawl and revsion of the entire section on omega-3 fatty acids from EFSA's "Draft Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for Fats", described more fully just below. A critique of EFSA's recommendations was submitted in a formal response to the public consultation on the document. 
EFSA response.pdf For an independent report on our response, click here
MID-OCTOBER UPDATE
Initially, work focussed on a proposed European Commission (EC) Regulation governing the claims food manufacturers may make about products fortified with these essential fats. The group submitted a scientific critique of the proposal and constructive alternative wordings. Governments from several EU Member States shared our concerns. Click here for these early documents
The EC disregarded objections, re-issued the original proposal essentially unaltered, preparing for formal approval on 1 October. Therefore, we launched a campaign to draw the issue to public attention. The principal documents of the campaign, and responses to it, are posted below.
Nonetheless, the Commission approved the text. It now goes to the European Parliament (EP) for a three month scrutiny, which includes the power to reject the proposal. So, we are now actively carrying the campaign to Parliament. Documents from this second phase will be posted here.
In a separate, related development, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a major draft report proposing Dietrary References Values (DRVs) for all fats, including omega-3s. Once approved, they will have significant implications for public health. First, DRVs are effectively recommendations on what to eat. They would fix advice to consumers for years ahead. Second, they would form the basis for all future EC policies that relate in any way to fats.
Despite the importance of the document, it was issued during the European holiday season, with an unusually short period for public consultation, closing on 15 October. A one page summary of the initiative, with hyperlinks to all the relevant papers, is available by clicking here.
Media Release: announcing campaign, starting 30 September 2009.
Stop Euro-Mad Rush to regulation on omega-3 fats
Urgent Petition: sent to European Commission and National Representatives of Member States.
Urgent Petition.pdf
Scientific Flaws: concise, non-technical summary of scientific problems with regulation.
Scientific Flaws.pdf
Letter to the Editor, The Times: published in The Times, 30 September 2009, with 20 signatories from seven countries.
Times Letter.pdf
Extract from the minutes of the 1 October meeting of Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, including the formal note of dissent from the UK representative.
Response.pdf
Media Release European Commission ignores scientific evidence,
votes to legalise deception of consumers
SCFCAH decision 1 Oct.pdf
Media Coverage of Campaign
The issues surrounding omega-3s will featured in the Dispatches programme on Channel 4, to be broadcast on Monday, 26 October, at 8pm
The Food Programme, BBC Radio 4, devoted it entire programme on Sunday, 25 October at 12.30pm, repeated on Monday, 26 October at 4pm to Omega-3 and the implications for our health.
Both programmes will involve scientists from our campaign and London Metropolitan staff.
"To-day Programme", BBC Radio4 1 October interview with Jack Winkler, 8-55 am, available for seven days.
Daily Telegraph 'EU rules on health foods could fool consumers', coverage of campaign, 30 September.
Marketing Magazine 'Proposed food-labelling rules could confuse consumers', 30 September.
Nutraingredients 'Scientists unite to stop Omega-3 'Euro-mad rush', 30 September
Nutraingregedients on our response to the EU decision.
Both programmes will involve scientists from our campaign and London Metropolitan staff.
Background to the Campaign on Omega-3 Claims
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Petition 14th July 09 |
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O3 Claims |
Professor Crawford submitted a detailed scientific critique of the proposal, both to the EC and to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). That document, entitled "Criticism of the Draft Commission Regulation", is available here.
Claim M Crawford June 2009
All these developments have been reported regularly in specialist media: NutraIngredients, a daily newsletter for food manufacturers with expertise in omega-3 fatty acids, and EU Food Law, a weekly newsletter for relevant officials and lawyers. More extensive communication through media for the general public is envisaged when a decision is finally reached. As an example of current coverage see
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NI Petition |
The Nutrition Policy Unit's response to the Food Standards Agency Consultation on 'Fish Consumption Fish, Health and Sustainability' is downloadable below
Fish, Health and Sustainability
Omega-3s and Mental Health
London Metropolitan University is one of the world's leading centres for research on essential fatty acids and their relationship to mental health. This work is led by Professor Michael Crawford of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition
Over time, this page will provide increasing information about IBCHN's work and links to key articles from its research.
Recently published in Public Health Nutrition, (2009), 'Modern organic and broiler chickens sold for human consumptionprovide more energy from fat than from protein'. authored by Yiqun Wang, Catherine Lehane, Kebreab Ghebremeskel and Michael Crawford.
Modern organic and broiler chickens sold for human consumption provide more energy from fat than from Protein
Recently published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2009), 22, pp 100-107, "Social and ethnic differences in folic acid use during preconception and early pregnancy in the UK: effect on maternal folate status".
Folic Acid Use
Prof Crawford delivered keynote lecture at the World Fisheries Congress in Yokohama, Japan, 20-24 October 2008, on the critical role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in human evolution.
Possible policies for raising the current low level of omega-3 consumption in the UK are surveyed in a paper by Professor Winkler, "Action Options on Omega-3: Recommendations, Sources, Policies", in Nutrition and Health (2007), Vol 18, pp 343-353.
Strategies for getting Omega-3 into the nation's diet are discussed in Nutraingredients.com 'Omega-3: Industry action could prompt policy change' (18 October 2008)
