Martek to sell DHA for European supplements

US fatty acids manufacturer Martek Biosciences is to distribute its docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to European dietary supplement makers through an agreement with Dutch firm Vegetable Seed Oil Products (VSP).

Martek recently gained novel foods approval from the European authorities for its DHA, which is made through fermentation of algae. It is currently the only plant-sourced DHA that can be marketed in the European Union.

VSP, a division of Handelsmaatschappij A.L. Bolier, specialises in manufacturing and distributing fatty acids, especially from plants, making Martek's products a good fit. They will be sold under Martek's trade name DHA Gold, in most countries in Europe.

Henry Linsert, Martek's chairman and CEO, said: "VSP has the expertise and customer base that fit with Martek's needs to expand DHA sales in the EU dietary supplement market."​

Martek Biosciences​ now distributes its DHA to the majority of the world's infant formula makers, including Nestle and Mead Johnson. DHA has been shown to promote the development of the eyes and central nervous system in newborns. It is also increasingly investigated for its ability to promote mental and cardiovascular health.