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Compositional guideline: Fish oil from the liver of fish

Description of substance

Oil derived from the liver of fresh or frozen finfish. This specification does not apply to those oils where an existing British, European or US pharmacopoeial monograph applies.

Specifications

Test Method* Specification
Appearance and odour Sensory Pale yellow liquid, odour and taste slightly fishy, but not rancid.
Acid value EP 1997 2.2.28/44 Not more than 2.0 determined on 5.0 g
Peroxide value EP 1997 2.2.28/44 Not more than 10 meq.O2/kg
Total Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid NS Minimum 34 %
Vitamin A BP 180 µg/g to 750 µg/g
Vitamin D BP 1.5 µg/g to 6.25 µg/g
Arsenic AOAC 986.15/0990.05 Not more than 1.0 mg/kg
Cadmium AOAC 986.15/0990.05 Not more than 0.5 mg/kg
Lead AOAC 986.15/0990.05 Not more than 0.5 mg/kg
Mercury AOAC 986.15/0990.05 Not more than 0.5 mg/kg
Pesticides BP Complies
Polychlorinated biphenyls NS Not more than 0.5 mg/kg1
* Alternative methods may be used where appropriate, if of comparable rigour.
1 These specifications are as outlined in the Food Standards Code (Issue 41)
NS Not specified. Any analytical method of appropriate analytical rigour is acceptable. Details of methodology and validation may be requested by the TGA in some circumstances.
EP = European Pharmacopoeia
AOAC = Association of Official Analytical Chemists

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