PFAS Under the Microscope: Are They Also Found in Fish Oil and Algae Oil?

Check out our lablaboratory reporthere!

PFAS. You’re hearing more and more about them. These substances are found in all sorts of places in our environment, from everyday products to our food. But what exactly are PFAS, why are they getting so much attention, and what about PFAS in your daily omega-3 supplement?

What is PFAS? 

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a collective term for thousands of man-made chemicals. They are used, among other things, because they repel water, grease, and dirt. That is why PFAS are found primarily in certain nonstick coatings on pans, water-repellent clothing, shoes, and all kinds of industrial applications. 

A bit of history: How do PFAS end up in our environment?

In the 1930s and 1940s, the first substances that we now call PFAS were discovered. Thanks to their useful properties, they were quickly recognized as a promising invention. Starting in the 1950s, PFAS were used on an increasingly large scale in all kinds of products and industrial applications. 

What seemed particularly convenient at the time later turned out to have a downside: many PFAS hardly break down at all. As a result, we still find these substances in all sorts of places today, including in food, drinking water, and seawater.

What are the effects of PFAS?

It is known that long-term exposure to certain PFAS can have effects on your health. That does not mean that PFAS will make you sick right away. The extent of the potential health risk depends, among other things, on the type of PFAS, the amount you are exposed to over a long period of time, and your personal health status. 

Because PFAS hardly break down and can spread throughout the environment, there is growing concern about their presence in our living environment and food. 

How much PFAS is in our blood?

Recent research by the RIVM also shows that PFAS are widespread. In 2025, the blood of 967 Dutch people was tested. At least these four PFAS were detected in nearly all participants: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS. 

How much PFAS is in fish? 

PFAS can enter fish through water and the food chain. Certain PFAS can then accumulate in fish. 

According to research by the RIVM, fish accounts for a relatively large portion of the PFAS we consume through our diet. The amount of PFAS in a fish depends, among other things, on its species and origin.

That doesn't mean, however, that you should avoid fish. Fish contains valuable nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids. The Netherlands Nutrition Center therefore still recommends eating fish once a week.

But what about fish oil? Do PFAS that may be present in fish also end up in the oil?

Is there PFAS in fish oil?

Fish oil is extracted from fish, but that doesn’t mean that all the substances found in fish end up in the oil. This is because many PFAS bind to proteins rather than to fats. However, that doesn’t mean there can’t be any PFAS in fish oil at all.

At Arctic Blue , we believe it is important to test our products for undesirable substances. That is why we carefully select our ingredients, use purification processes, and test our products for quality and purity.

For example, we tested samples of both our liquid fish oil and fish oil capsules for the presence of no fewer than 22 different major PFAS. These include PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS—the four PFAS that were previously identified in the RIVM study.

The result? None of the 22 PFAS examined were found in measurable amounts in the tested samples.

View the lab report here 

Is there PFAS in algae oil?

The algae we use for our algae oil do not come into contact with seawater or any potential contaminants it may contain. This is because they are grown under controlled conditions in large tanks.

Nevertheless, we felt it was important to test our algae oil products for PFAS as well. That is why we had samples of both our liquid algae oil and our algae oil capsules tested.

No measurable amounts of the tested PFAS were found here either. 

Find out what's in your Omega-3

Whether the omega-3 comes from fish or algae, at Arctic Blue we believe transparency about quality is important. That’s why we have our products carefully tested for undesirable substances and share the results. This way, you not only know where your omega-3 comes from, but you also gain insight into research on substances you’d rather not find in your daily supplement. 

Want to learn more about the purity and origin of our products? Read more about our principles and our commitment to sustainability.