GC Rieber VivoMega, a supplier specializing in omega-3 concentrates, will showcase VivoTech and VivoSure technology concepts at Natural Products Expo West, showcasing its toolbox of quality and sensory performance technologies.

The company will also showcase Vivosense, its in-house method of quantifying the sensory quality of a finished product which combines chemical analysis and sensory panel evaluations.

“Omega-3 concentrate production truly is a blend of science and art. The raw material of the omega-3s varies because of differences in its origin (fish or algae). For fish, this is even more so due to factors such as the time of season, the species, the location of the fishery, and so on. This variability influences the fatty acid profile of the raw material and impacts quality parameters such as oxidation, color, taste, and smell,” said Kristi E. Aarak, PhD, technical business development manager at GC Rieber VivoMega. “Through utilization of our technology toolbox, regardless of the starting crude material, we can continually provide exceptional quality, purity, and sensory profiles for our VivoMega fish and algae oils.”

The choice of the production route is called VivoTech. When applying VivoTech, each oil going into the production process will be evaluated, leading to a custom manufacturing process based on crude variability and customer requests. Focus is placed on reducing thermal stress and exposure to heat, which is supported by high-vacuum technology, to ensure maximum stability and purity. VivoSure is applied in parallel with VivoTech to ensure sensory performance, impacting the product’s color, purity, sensory, and stability indices, with each step evaluated in real time.

“We invest heavily in all aspects of production, from sourcing to final product analysis, to ensure that our customers’ expectations are always exceeded,” said Snorre Glærum Strand, CEO at GC Rieber VivoMega. “From the entry of our crude source into our production facility to the drummed finished product of our enriched EPA+DHA oils, the production environment is undertaken in a sealed system which is absent of any air; this ensures the oil is never exposed to the air until our customer opens their drum. These processes ensure fresh, stable, pure oil with a 3-year shelf life.”

GC Rieber will also unveil a new DHA and EPA algal ingredient, Algae 1060 TG Premium. This variation offers a lower price point, while still maintaining the same quality according to the company.

Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director, and Merethe Thomassen, communications and marketing manager, will be available for meetings at Expo West.