Omega-3 Crisis in Pet Food Sparks Search for Sustainable Alternatives

Omega-3 Crisis in Pet Food Sparks Search for Sustainable Alternatives

A petri dish with a small amount of food on it, placed on a white surface with a label and barcode beside it.

Omega-3 Crisis in Pet Food Sparks Search for Sustainable Alternatives

Registration is now open for Forum Europe 2026, an event focused on pet nutrition and omega-3 sourcing. Early discounts are available for attendees. The forum will take place in Nuremberg, Germany, on 11 May 2026, just before the Interzoo trade fair begins.

Over the past five years, fish oil supplies for pet food have shrunk, with prices rising by 20–50%. Causes include tighter wild-catch quotas, overfishing of sardines and anchovies in Peru and Chile, and climate events like the 2023–2024 El Niño, which reduced fish stocks. Stricter EU fishing rules and MSC certification demands have added further pressure.

Julian Pietrzyk, Ph.D., will lead a session at the forum titled Perceptions, sources and the evolving role of long-chain omega-3s in pet nutrition. His talk will cover industry knowledge gaps and sustainable alternatives to fish oil. Pietrzyk highlights the importance of distinguishing between EPA, DHA, and ALA—three omega-3 types with different health benefits. EPA and DHA directly aid inflammation control, skin health, joint mobility, cognition, and heart function in pets, while ALA must first convert inefficiently in the body.

Algae-based omega-3s, such as MiAlgae's DHA—produced using whisky by-products—offer a high-concentration, sustainable option. Unlike marine sources, algae avoid environmental harm, ethical concerns, and contamination risks. Pietrzyk expects the industry to shift toward algae as traditional fish oil becomes less reliable.

The forum will explore solutions to omega-3 supply challenges, with algae emerging as a viable alternative. Pietrzyk's session aims to clarify how different omega-3 forms affect pet health and formulation choices. Registration and early savings are available now for the 11 May event in Nuremberg.

Neueste Nachrichten