Most of the world isn’t getting enough omega-3

A global review led by researchers at the University of East Anglia, the University of Southampton and Holland & Barrett finds 76% of people worldwide fail to meet recommended intakes of the long-chain omega‑3s EPA and DHA, exposing a large public‑health shortfall. The most common adult target is ~250 mg/day of EPA+DHA (plus an additional 100–200 mg DHA in pregnancy), levels that are difficult to reach for many populations because of low oily‑fish consumption and sustainability constraints, meaning supplementation or fortified foods are often necessary. The authors call for clearer, harmonized international guidance and improved access to sustainable omega‑3 sources, a conclusion likely to influence public‑health policy, drive demand for supplements and enriched foods, and focus industry attention on supply‑chain sustainability.

Analysis

The University of East Anglia–led global review reports that 76% of the world population do not meet recommended intakes of long‑chain omega‑3s EPA and DHA, noting the most common adult target is ~250 mg/day and pregnancy guidance adds 100–200 mg of DHA. This first comprehensive compilation of national and international recommendations for healthy populations was published in Nutrition Research Reviews (2025) and produced in collaboration with the University of Southampton and Holland & Barrett.

The authors find dietary intake alone is frequently insufficient because of low oily‑fish consumption and sustainability constraints, and they explicitly call for easier access to sustainable omega‑3 sources as well as clearer, harmonized public guidance; supplementation and fortified foods are highlighted as practical routes to close the gap. The paper positions these changes to influence nutrition policy, clinical advice, and product development efforts in retail and supplements.

Commercial implications include potential demand growth for supplements, fortified foods and alternative omega‑3 sources (e.g., algal or fermentation‑derived oils) and increased scrutiny of supply‑chain sustainability. Key risks are regulatory fragmentation, commoditization of supplement markets, and marine supply constraints; investors should therefore monitor guideline harmonization, clinical endorsements, and firms with demonstrable sustainable sourcing and product differentiation.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Consider increasing exposure to high‑quality omega‑3 supplement and fortified‑food manufacturers that have traceable, sustainable sourcing and clinical evidence, as demand may rise following policy and guideline attention
• Monitor regulatory and public‑health developments for harmonized EPA/DHA recommendations—formal guideline changes are a likely catalyst for volume growth and should inform timing of positions
• Prioritize investments in companies developing non‑fish omega‑3 solutions (algal, fermentation) to hedge marine‑supply and ESG risks and capture premium pricing for sustainable products
• Avoid undifferentiated, low‑margin supplement vendors without sustainability credentials or strong distribution channels; prefer retailers and brands with R&D and product‑development capabilities (e.g., established specialty retailers)