The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program is the only third party testing and certification program for the fish oil industry. We help companies add market value to their brands so that they stand out on the shelf as symbols of purity, safety and stability. www.ifosprogram.com

1. International Fish Oil Standards™ Program
The ultimate verification for purity, potency
and quality of premium fish oils products
Mike Abramovitz, B.Sc., CSCS
Manager, Product Development & Client Services
mabramovitz@nutrasource.ca
www.ifosprogram.com

2. About IFOS™
• The IFOS Program was developed by
Nutrasource Diagnostics Inc. (NDI) in 2004
• NDI is a contract research organization that
provides consulting services and international
testing and certification programs to the
health product industry
• NDI is the exclusive provider of the IFOS
Program
www.ifosprogram.com

3. About Nutrasource Diagnostics Inc.
We make our customers’ new and existing products better by
providing the scientific services and testing programs to take a
product through the concept-to-claim pathway
www.ifosprogram.com

4. NDI’s Core Service Offerings
www.ifosprogram.com

5. What is IFOS™?
• Internationally recognized third party testing
and certification for fish oil products
• Program for premium brands
• Voluntary and subscription-based
• Direct analysis by lot
• Neutral, third party and non-exclusive
• Consumer Reports posted by lot
www.ifosprogram.com

6. What is IFOS™?
• 5-star rating scale
• Has become part of QA/QC programs
worldwide
• Exceeds internationally recognized standards
set by regulatory bodies and key trade
organizations such as GOED
• Ultimate mark of purity, potency and quality
• Enables consumers to provide nutritious, safe
supplements for themselves and their families
www.ifosprogram.com

7. What does IFOS™ test for?
• Omega-3 content (EPA + DHA) compared to
label claim
• PCBs, dioxins, furans, dioxin-like PCBs
• Heavy metals
(mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium)
• Peroxide, anisidine, acid value and total
oxidation to confirm stability and freshness
www.ifosprogram.com

8. What if a product doesn’t pass?
• Companies will have the opportunity to retest the sample or submit a new lot for
analysis
• Creates a feedback loop with client’s QA/QC
team
• Can assist in discovering underlying issues
with manufacturing and/or product
formulation
www.ifosprogram.com

9. What if a product doesn’t pass?
• We can provide advice on
next steps to ensure next
lot of product meets
specifications
• Services and consulting to
fill the gaps and help make
the product better
www.ifosprogram.com

10. The IFOS™ Certification Mark
Look for the certification
mark on websites,
marketing materials and
product labels
www.ifosprogram.com

11. The IFOS™ Certification Mark
• If a product uses the mark, but the Consumer
Report does not appear on
www.ifosprogram.com, then it isn’t 5-star
certified!
• Should always email IFOS™, or the company to
find out more information
www.ifosprogram.com

12. The Consumer Report
• Consumer
Reports display
product testing
results on a per
lot basis
• Free for
consumers to
download
www.ifosprogram.com

13. Who can participate?
• All companies are welcome to participate as
long as they commit to the highest level of
quality. These include:
– Finished/branded final products
– Raw material suppliers
– Retailers
• We can provide certification to materials at all
levels of the value chain
www.ifosprogram.com

14. Look for IFOS™ in retail stores
• Why should retailers carry IFOS certified
products? Shows that you’re:
– Dedicated to carrying the highest
quality, premium fish oil brands
– Concerned about the health and safety of your
customers and their families
– Passionate about helping your customers find the
safest products
– Committed to transparency and truthful labelling
www.ifosprogram.com

15. Look for IFOS™ in retail stores
• Creates brand loyalty so that your customers
will keep coming back
• Can increase sales of premium brands
• Can increase store revenue
• Assists your sales staff in understanding the
products, unique features and how to
promote them
www.ifosprogram.com

16. Marketing Support to Leverage Your
Certification
• IFOS™ provides marketing and sales tools to
assist help IFOS™ subscribers promote their
certification to consumers
• We can provide:
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Web and social media support
Trade show support
Education to retail sales staff
Marketing materials for retail stores, events, online
Ongoing support and collaboration
www.ifosprogram.com

17. Thank you
Mike Abramovitz, B.Sc., CSCS
Manager, Product Development & Client Services
mabramovitz@nutrasource.ca
Connect with IFOS™:
www.ifosprogram.com
facebook.com/ifosprogram
@IFOS_Program | #IFOScertified
© Nutrasource Diagnostics Inc. www.nutrasource.ca
www.ifosprogram.com