Press release

DSM boosts maternal and infant nutrition portfolio with new plant-based high potency DHA oil

Parsippany, NJ (US), 11 May 2020 04:45 EST

Royal DSM, a purpose-led, global science-based company active in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, announces the launch of its new, high-quality life’sDHA® SF55-O200DS oil for maternal and early life nutrition solutions. Offering a higher potency, this ingredient contains a minimum of 550 mg/g natural triglyceride DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), allowing manufacturers to achieve equivalent dosages of DHA in smaller product formats and meet the latest maternal nutrition trend for convenient capsule and tablet sizes1.

This latest addition to DSM’s broad nutritional portfolio is the only 550 mg/g natural triglyceride DHA intended for use in maternal nutrition and is aimed for women who are planning to conceive, are pregnant, breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding post-natal mothers. Produced from Schizochytrium algae, life’sDHA SF55-O200DS offers a sustainable plant-based alternative to fish oil and is made with ingredients of conventional (non-GM) origin. A trusted source of contaminant-free, kosher and halal omega-3, life’sDHA SF55-O200DS supports infant health and development and can be consumed in a single, convenient dose.

“Convenience, quality and safety are key drivers of consumer purchasing in the maternal and early life nutrition markets, with mothers and expectant moms looking for easy-to-swallow dietary supplements and safe infant nutrition products made with trusted, science-backed ingredients, comments Brent MacDonald, Director Global Marketing & Business Development, Nutritional Lipids at DSM. “We carefully formulated life’sDHA SF55-O200DS to help manufacturers develop high-quality, reliable DHA solutions that will give pregnant women and moms peace of mind and that will shape healthier futures worldwide.”

Science supporting the use of DHA in maternal and infant nutrition

Evidence indicates that optimal omega-3 DHA intake plays an essential role in life-long health and development, particularly in infancy during the first 1,000 days – between the onset of a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday. A Cochrane review of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) recommendations shows that DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) lowered the risk of having a preterm baby by 11%, and an early preterm baby by 42%2. The most effective doses were shown to be between 500 mg and 1,000 mg of DHA and EPA per day, where at least 500 mg is DHA3.

The life’sDHA brand represents DSM’s commitment to safety, quality and reliability, offering mothers and pregnant women the reassurance that they and their children are consuming safe products that are free of ocean-borne contaminants, like mercury, associated with fish and fish oils.

1) DSM, maternal nutrition, consumer attitude and usage study, 2019.
2) Middleton et al., 2018.
3) Ibid.

For more information

Nelleke Barning

Global Communications and External Affairs Director
Nutrition
+41 618 158 502