Cod Liver Oil

A refined liver oil from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), standardized for natural vitamin A and vitamin D3 content alongside the native EPA and DHA fatty acid profile. The combination of fat-soluble vitamins and long-chain omega-3 in a single oil is the defining feature of cod liver oil.

Pale yellow to light amber clear oil with a characteristic mild marine note in deodorized grades and a stronger flavor in traditional grades. Standardized to defined ranges of vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per gram of oil.

We supply food-grade and pharmacopoeial Cod Liver Oil from manufacturers in China and Nordic-sourced refiners, holding ISO, Halal, Kosher, GOED, and IFOS certifications relevant to the product and production. Pharmacopoeial USP, EP, and BP grades are available.

Common market grades include Standard Cod Liver Oil (250 IU vitamin A and 85 IU vitamin D3 per gram, traditional reference), High-D Cod Liver Oil (vitamin D3 fortified), Flavored Liquid grades (lemon, orange) for retail, and Pharmacopoeial grade meeting USP and EP monographs.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering vitamin A and D3 (HPLC), fatty acid profile (GC), peroxide value, anisidine value, totox, heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs, and microbiology.

Cod liver oil has been used as a folk medicine in Northern Europe since at least the 18th century and was the principal therapeutic intervention for rickets in children before the discovery of vitamin D as a discrete nutrient in the 1920s. Modern commercial cod liver oil is produced from the fresh livers of Atlantic and Pacific cod that are recovered during fish processing, then steam-rendered, decanted, and refined.

The native fatty acid and vitamin profile carries roughly 7% to 16% EPA, 6% to 18% DHA, 250 to 1,000 IU vitamin A per gram, and 60 to 250 IU vitamin D3 per gram, with regional and seasonal variation. Modern producers standardize the vitamin content by molecular distillation and supplementation with vitamin A palmitate and vitamin D3 to defined values, then re-introduce the standardized vitamins into the refined oil for label declaration.

Pharmacopoeial monographs (USP, EP, BP) define the analytical specifications. Cod liver oil is recognized as a conventional food in the EU and a Generally Recognized as Safe ingredient in the U.S. Vitamin A intake limits restrict per-serving cod liver oil dosing in pregnancy and pediatric applications, and modern formulations frequently use vitamin A-reduced grades to expand the safe-dose envelope.

Quality differentiation in the trade follows the same parameters as refined fish oil (peroxide and anisidine values, heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs), with the additional analytical requirement of vitamin A and D3 standardization. Branded retail cod liver oil sits in a defensible premium niche supported by 200 years of consumer familiarity and the unique vitamin-plus-omega-3 combination that no other supplement single-ingredient delivers.

• Traditional liquid supplements for general wellness and immune support
• Pediatric supplements (in regulated dose ranges) for vitamin D3 and DHA delivery
• Bone health and immune support softgels combining vitamin D3 and omega-3
• Pregnancy and lactation products in markets where vitamin A intake limits are observed
• Joint health and inflammatory-balance formulations
• Cardiovascular health products
• Veterinary supplements for dogs, cats, and equines
• Pharmacopoeial monograph applications