Nutritional oils company Equazen has launched an organic version of its 'qarma' evening primrose oil, the first such product to receive organic certification in the UK, according to the company.
The new product is extracted from organic seed, by a simple method of mechanically pressing the seed to ensure that it has only minimal contact with heat, light or oxygen. Equazen maintains that this creates a superior oil to extraction than with solvents and 'cold-pressing'.
The oil is not refined so that it keeps natural antioxidants and other positive elements, giving it the green hue from the retained chlorophyll. The company cited an analysis by Reading Scientific Services that found their qarma product had more than double the amount of antioxidants of a generic EPO (evening primrose oil).
Qarma is also said to contain 10 per cent GLA, rather than the industry standard of 8-9 per cent. The company is planning trials on the product next year to verify the benefits of omega 6 fatty acids.
In the UK, qarma is available from Boots, Tesco and leading pharmacies and healthfood stores. There is also retail distribution in the Republic of Ireland, Scandinavia and other key markets.