Do Fish Oils Need Heavy Processing to Be Safe?

Fish oil safety is often discussed in terms of how much processing an oil undergoes. Some messaging suggests that without extensive refinement or added ingredients, fish oil may be unsafe due to contaminants such as mercury.

In reality, fish oil safety begins long before processing — with species selection, sourcing, and testing.

Understanding this distinction helps pet owners make informed decisions without unnecessary fear or confusion.

Safety Starts With the Fish, Not the Factory

The need for aggressive processing in fish oil depends largely on the species of fish used, its lifespan and environment, and whether the oil is properly tested.

Some deep-sea species grow extremely slowly and live for many decades. These fish can accumulate higher levels of heavy metals over time and may require additional refinement to meet safety thresholds.

Other species, when responsibly sourced, show consistently low contaminant levels and do not require the same degree of intervention.

New Zealand Hoki (Blue Grenadier) falls into this latter category.

Understanding Hoki and Contaminant Risk

Hoki is a cold-water species harvested from well-managed New Zealand fisheries. It has a moderate lifespan and has been extensively studied through decades of fisheries science and monitoring.

When responsibly sourced, Hoki oil shows low observed bioaccumulation of heavy metals, including mercury. For this reason, safety is reliably confirmed through batch testing, rather than relying on blanket chemical refinement.

This distinction matters!

Why “More Processing” Isn’t Always Better

It’s easy to assume that more processing equals more safety — but that isn’t always the case.

Aggressive refining techniques may involve:

• High heat

• Chemical deodorisation

• Structural modification of the oil

• Added stabilisers or synthetic antioxidants

While these steps can remove undesirable compounds, they can also:

• Alter delicate omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)

• Reduce natural co-factors

• Mask oxidation rather than prevent it

• Strip the oil of elements that support biological function

In other words, an oil can be highly processed yet biologically weaker.

Preserving Omega-3 Integrity Matters

From a nutritional perspective, the goal of fish oil supplementation is not simply purity on paper — it’s what actually reaches the animal.

When an oil is already clean and meets safety standards through responsible sourcing and testing, preserving its natural structure helps maintain:

• Omega-3 stability

• Bioavailability

• Functional value

This is why minimal processing, when appropriate, can be a strength rather than a weakness.

A Balanced, Evidence-Based Approach to Safety

At Newflands, fish oil safety is addressed through:

• Careful species selection

• Responsible New Zealand sourcing

• Independent batch testing for contaminants

• Avoidance of unnecessary processing steps

This approach reflects a simple principle:

Safety comes from evidence, not excess.

Clean does not have to mean stripped, and reassurance does not require fear-based marketing.

Pet Owners need to know-

Fish oils are not interchangeable — and neither are the methods used to produce them.

Rather than asking how much processing an oil has undergone, a more useful question is:

• What species was used?

• Where was it sourced?

• Is it batch tested?

When those answers are clear, safety can be confidently established without compromising the natural benefits that make fish oil valuable in the first place.

Choosing a fish oil should feel informed and calm — not complicated or fear-driven