In a statement Aker noted the momentum the krill sector had gathered in the past three years - although it remains a miniscule section of the overall omega-3 supply - and its expectation that GOED membership could help build this momentum.
"Since its inception, Aker BioMarine has proactively adopted the highest standards in environmentally sustainable management of krill resources to ensure that we maintain the health of our ecosystem and krill populations," says Aker BioMarine CEO Hallvard Muri.
"Furthermore, we are actively supporting human research to substantiate the benefits of krill supplements and to expand the body of evidence behind the different sources of omega-3 fatty acids."
Some raise question marks about the sustainability of the Antarctic krill supply but players like Aker and Neptune Technologies and Bioressources, along with GOED, assert its safety. Aker BioMarine’s Superba Krill Oil has been awarded Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
"We appreciate that Aker will work inside GOED to contribute to the responsible growth and development of krill products with defined and transparent criteria and specifications that help enable consumer trust,” said GOED executive director Adam Ismail.
“Krill oil is a growing and important source of EPA and DHA for consumers worldwide, so proactive quality initiatives driven by companies like Aker and other krill manufacturers will be important."
Aker committed to GOED’s education initiative, its code of ethics and to adhere to its monograph as do the other 90+ member companies (except media, researchers and other affiliate members) including Neptune, Azantis, Unilever, BASF, Cognis, Monsanto, Ocean Nutrition Canada, Solae and Lonza.