Australian regulators approved the production and use in feed and for human consumption of Nuseed Omega-3 Canola, in 2018.
Developed by Nufarm subsidiary Nuseed Pty Ltd, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), omega-3 canola is the world’s first plant-based source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuseed welcomed the Australian Office of Gene Technology Regulator’s (OGTR) announcement that Nuseed’s omega-3 canola had been approved for cultivation and use in animal feed. Food uses of the omega-3 canola were also reviewed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), with approval granted for sale and use in food in Australia and New Zealand.
Nufarm Managing Director and CEO, Greg Hunt, said the Australian approval represented a very significant milestone in the project and validated the quality of the product and extensive data which supported the regulatory application.
Long-chain omega-3 DHA and EPA are essential for human and fish health. This proprietary product aims to help relieve pressure on wild fish stocks, which are the current source for this important nutrient. By providing a proven land-based source of these oils, Nuseed is maintaining adequate supply to meet increasing global demand for long-chain omega-3s. One hectare of Nuseed’s omega-3 canola has the potential to provide the omega-3 yield from 10,000 kilograms of wild-caught fish.
The company is commercializing omega-3 oil – branded as Aquaterra® – for aquaculture feed uses, followed by Nutriterra® for human nutrition applications. The unique profile of the Nuseed oil ensures that it easily fits with current market practices and meets the needs of multiple end-market applications on a commercially viable basis.
