European food regulators treat all oils the same way when making rules, but new research shows they shouldn’t. Scientists found that people eat about 50 times more vegetable oil than omega-3 fish oils (the kind found in fish and supplements). Because people consume these oils so differently, the EU should create separate categories and rules for each type. This matters because the amount of something you eat affects how safe it is, so treating them the same could mean the wrong safety standards for each oil.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much omega-3 fish oil versus regular vegetable oil people in Europe actually eat, and whether food rules should treat them differently
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of individual people. Instead, researchers analyzed food consumption data from across the European Union, looked at how much omega-3 oil companies sell, checked what’s in supplements and fortified foods, and reviewed surveys about what people eat
  • Key finding: Adults in Europe eat about 50 times more vegetable oil than omega-3 fish oils. This huge difference means the two oils should probably have different safety rules and food categories
  • What it means for you: If you take fish oil supplements or eat fortified foods with omega-3s, the safety standards for those products might not be appropriate if they’re grouped with regular vegetable oils. Better separate rules could mean safer, more appropriate products for you

The Research Details

This study wasn’t a traditional experiment where researchers test people. Instead, it was a review that brought together information from many different sources. The researchers used official European food consumption databases (records of what people eat), industry data showing how much omega-3 oil companies sell in Europe, information about what’s in supplements and fortified foods, and surveys asking people what they eat.

They combined all this information to estimate how much omega-3 oil the average European adult consumes daily and compared it to vegetable oil consumption. This approach is like being a detective—gathering clues from many places to figure out the whole picture of what Europeans are actually eating.

The researchers focused on two specific omega-3s called EPA and DHA, which are the ones found in fish and fish oil supplements that scientists say are good for your health.

This research approach matters because food safety rules need to be based on how much people actually eat. If regulators don’t know the real consumption patterns, they might set safety limits that don’t make sense. By carefully measuring actual intake, this study provides the evidence needed to argue for better, more targeted regulations

This is a review study, which means it gathered and analyzed existing data rather than conducting new experiments. The strength comes from using official European databases and industry data. However, because it’s not a direct measurement of what people eat (like a food diary study), there’s some uncertainty in the estimates. The researchers were transparent about using multiple data sources, which is a good sign

What the Results Show

The main finding is striking: adults in the European Union consume approximately 50 times more vegetable oil than omega-3 fish oils (EPA and DHA) on average each day. This means if someone eats about 15 grams of vegetable oil daily, they’re only getting about 0.3 grams of omega-3 fish oils.

This huge difference in consumption patterns is important because food safety rules are usually based on how much of something people eat. When you eat something in much larger amounts, different safety considerations apply compared to something eaten in tiny amounts.

The researchers also found that omega-3 oils come from different sources than vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are common cooking ingredients found in many foods, while omega-3 oils mainly come from supplements, fortified foods (foods with added nutrients), and infant formula. This means the two oils play very different roles in people’s diets.

The study also revealed that consumption of omega-3 oils varies quite a bit depending on whether people take supplements or eat fortified foods. Some people get almost no omega-3 oils, while others who take supplements get much more. This variation is another reason why separate categories make sense—one-size-fits-all rules won’t work well for products with such different consumption patterns

Previous research has recognized that different types of fats have different health effects, but food regulations in Europe haven’t always reflected this. This study provides new evidence supporting what scientists have been saying: omega-3 fish oils and vegetable oils are so different in how much people eat them that they deserve different regulatory treatment

This study estimated consumption rather than directly measuring what people eat, so there’s some uncertainty in the exact numbers. The estimates depend on the quality of the databases and industry data used. Also, consumption patterns may vary significantly between different European countries, and the study provides overall averages that might not apply to everyone. Additionally, the study focused on current consumption patterns, which could change if food products change in the future

The Bottom Line

The research suggests (moderate confidence) that European food regulators should create separate categories and safety standards for omega-3 fish oils and vegetable oils rather than treating them the same. This would allow for more appropriate safety limits based on actual consumption amounts

This matters most to: people who take fish oil supplements, parents of infants using formula with added omega-3s, people eating fortified foods with omega-3s, and food regulators in Europe. It’s less immediately relevant to people who don’t use supplements or fortified foods, though better regulations could eventually benefit everyone

Changes to food regulations typically take months to years to implement after research like this is published. You won’t see immediate changes, but this research could influence future product safety standards and labeling over the next 1-3 years

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily omega-3 intake from all sources (supplements, fortified foods, fish consumption) in grams per day, and compare it to your vegetable oil intake to understand your personal consumption ratio
  • If you take omega-3 supplements, log the specific amount (EPA + DHA in milligrams) daily. If you eat fortified foods with omega-3s, record which products and how often. This helps you understand whether you’re getting consistent amounts
  • Create a weekly summary showing total omega-3 intake from all sources versus typical vegetable oil intake. This visual comparison helps you understand your personal consumption patterns and whether you’re meeting any health goals you have for omega-3s

This research is a review of consumption patterns and does not provide medical advice. The findings suggest that food regulations should be updated, but they don’t indicate whether you should or shouldn’t take omega-3 supplements. Decisions about omega-3 supplementation should be made with your doctor or healthcare provider, who can consider your individual health needs. This study was published in a peer-reviewed journal but represents one analysis of existing data; always consult healthcare professionals before making changes to your diet or supplement routine.