The National Heart Foundation of Australia has strengthened its long-term support for the important role played by omega-3 fats in heart health with the introduction of a new 'Heart Health' logo licensing program for fish oil supplements.

The new licensing program will be available to fish oil products that have been independently tested and meet strict quality standards.

Under the first agreement of the program, the 'Nature's Own' range of fish oil products are now displaying the 'Heart Health' logo in pharmacies and stores.

Tony Thirlwell, Heart Foundation CEO - NSW, said the program is aligned with the Foundation's mission to help reduce heart disease risk for all Australians through education, research and community programs.

"In 2008 the Heart Foundation released an updated position statement on the consumption of fish, fish oils and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for cardiovascular health," Mr Thirlwell said.

"It recommended that all Australians should aim to eat two to three serves of 150 grams of oily fish or seafood a week in order to reduce their risk of heart disease.

"Omega-3 fats, found in oily fish and seafood as well as fish oil supplements, help to reduce the risk of heart disease and maintain general good health.

"The Heart Foundation tries to help Australians consume more fish by providing healthy and easy recipes using fish high in omega-3 fats on its website at www.heartfoundation.org.au/recipes

"But there is still evidence that Australians are not consuming enough serves of oily fish each week and don't fully understand the benefits of omega-3 fats.

"That is why the aims of the new licensing program are to reinforce the contribution omega-3 fats can make to heart health, and help consumers make informed choices when choosing fish oil products."

The 'Heart Health' logo licensing program coincides with new data1 that shows a rapid growth in the consumption of fish oil supplements by Australian consumers. It includes:

  • More than 7 million omega-3 fish oil products were purchased in Australia last year
  • Sale of omega-3 fish oil products has increased by 65% since 2008
  • There are currently more than 70 different fish oil brands available in Australia

Despite the increase in sales, a new survey from Newspoll2 found:

  • 40% of Australians either don't know or are unsure if omega-3 contributes to heart health
  • Three in five Australians don't eat the recommended 2 - 3 serves of oily fish each week

Agreements made under the 'Heart Health' logo licensing program are on a non-exclusive basis.

The Heart Foundation invested $13.6 million last year into cardiovascular research.
Proceeds under the new licensing program will assist in funding further research.

For more details about the Heart Foundation position on fish oil, visit Heart Foundation.