Scientists are working to make it easier to understand what’s really in fatty acid supplements like fish oil and flaxseed oil. They’re creating a universal labeling system that tracks these products from the factory to your home, similar to how groceries are labeled. This research tested this new system on 30 different supplements to make sure it works well. The goal is to help companies, stores, and customers know exactly what they’re buying and ensure products are safe and real. This matters because supplements are very popular, but people often don’t know what’s actually in them or where they come from.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether scientists can create a universal labeling system to clearly identify and track fatty acid supplements (like fish oil, krill oil, and flaxseed oil) from the manufacturer to the store shelf.
  • Who participated: The study examined 30 different fatty acid-based dietary supplements currently available for purchase on the market.
  • Key finding: Researchers successfully created detailed classification codes for 30 fatty acid supplements using two international labeling systems (LanguaL™ and FoodEx2), showing that a universal tracking system is possible and practical.
  • What it means for you: In the future, supplement labels may become clearer and more trustworthy. You’ll have better information about what’s actually in your supplements and where they came from, though this system is still being developed and isn’t widely used yet.

The Research Details

This research created a new way to label and track fatty acid supplements using two international classification systems called LanguaL™ and FoodEx2. Think of it like creating a universal language for describing supplements so everyone—from manufacturers to customers—understands exactly what’s in each product. The researchers took 30 different supplements available on the market and applied these classification codes to each one to test whether the system works well.

LanguaL™ is a system that uses detailed descriptions in multiple languages to classify food and supplement products. FoodEx2 is another system that organizes products in a step-by-step hierarchy, like a family tree, to help with safety checks and risk assessments. By combining both systems, the researchers created a more complete picture of what’s in each supplement.

The study followed international standards called FAIR principles, which stand for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. This means the information they created can be easily shared between companies, stores, and health organizations, making the whole supplement industry more transparent.

Right now, supplement labels can be confusing and inconsistent. Different companies use different ways to describe their products, making it hard to compare them or know if you’re getting what you paid for. A universal labeling system would help prevent fraud (fake or mislabeled products), make it easier to quickly remove unsafe products from stores, and help scientists study whether supplements actually work. It also builds trust between companies and customers.

This study is a proof-of-concept research, meaning it shows that an idea can work in practice. The researchers tested their system on 30 real supplements, which is a reasonable sample size for this type of work. However, because this is a new system being developed, the findings are preliminary. The study doesn’t include testing whether the system actually prevents fraud or improves safety in the real world—that would require additional research. The work is aligned with international standards, which is a positive sign for its reliability.

What the Results Show

The researchers successfully created LanguaL™ and FoodEx2 codes for all 30 fatty acid supplements they studied. This shows that the universal classification system can be applied to a wide variety of supplements, including fish oil (which contains EPA and DHA), krill oil, plant-based options like flaxseed and algae oil, and combination supplements that include omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids.

The system was able to capture important details about each supplement, such as the type of fatty acids it contains, whether it includes vitamin E (which prevents the oil from going bad), and other ingredients. By using both LanguaL™ and FoodEx2 together, the researchers created a more complete description of each product than either system could provide alone.

The codes created in this study follow international standards, which means they could potentially be used by supplement companies, stores, and health organizations around the world. This would make it much easier to track supplements across different countries and compare products from different manufacturers.

The research highlights the importance of traceability—being able to follow a product from where it’s made to where it’s sold. A good traceability system can prevent fraud (like selling fake supplements), help companies quickly remove unsafe products from shelves, and give customers confidence that they’re buying real products. The study also shows that combining multiple classification systems (LanguaL™ and FoodEx2) provides better information than using just one system alone.

This research builds on existing international efforts to standardize how food and supplement products are labeled and tracked. Similar systems have been used for regular food products for years, but applying them specifically to dietary supplements is relatively new. This work extends those proven systems to the supplement industry, which is growing rapidly but has been less regulated than food.

This study only tested the classification system on 30 supplements, which is a small sample. The research doesn’t test whether the system actually works in real-world situations—for example, whether it actually prevents fraud or helps stores remove unsafe products faster. The study also doesn’t compare how well this system works compared to other possible labeling approaches. Additionally, the research doesn’t include testing with actual supplement companies or customers to see if they find the system easy to use. Finally, this is a preliminary study showing the system can work, but more research is needed to prove it provides real benefits.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that a universal labeling system for supplements is possible and could be helpful. However, because this is early-stage research, it’s too soon to make specific recommendations for consumers. The findings support continued development of this system by supplement companies, regulators, and health organizations. If you currently take supplements, continue to buy from reputable brands and look for third-party testing labels, which provide some assurance of quality.

This research matters most to supplement companies, store owners, health regulators, and scientists who study supplements. It’s also relevant to people who regularly take supplements and want to know more about what they’re buying. If you’re considering starting supplements, this research suggests that better labeling systems may be coming in the future, which could help you make more informed choices.

This is early-stage research showing that a new system is possible. It will likely take several years before this labeling system is widely adopted by supplement companies and stores. In the meantime, improvements in supplement labeling and traceability will probably happen gradually as companies and regulators work together to implement better systems.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users could track which supplements they take by brand name, type (fish oil, flaxseed, etc.), and key ingredients (EPA, DHA, omega-3, etc.). As universal labeling systems improve, users could scan product codes to automatically log supplement information.
  • Users could set reminders to take supplements consistently and log when they take them. They could also use the app to research supplement brands and check if they have third-party testing certifications, helping them make more informed purchasing decisions.
  • Track supplement intake over time and note any changes in how you feel. Users could also monitor when they purchase new supplements and compare different brands using whatever labeling information becomes available, building a personal database of supplement choices and their effects.

This research describes a new labeling system for supplements and does not evaluate the safety or effectiveness of any specific supplement. Dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as medications and may not work as advertised. Before starting any new supplement, consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you take medications, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have health conditions. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.