Is Nordic Naturals Pharmaceutical Grade? An In-Depth Quality Review

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

In the United States, there is no official government-set standard for "pharmaceutical grade" fish oil, which is a key fact when evaluating supplement quality. Nordic Naturals, however, holds its products to a higher, internal standard that exceeds many international regulations.

Quick Summary

This article explores the quality and purity of Nordic Naturals fish oil, clarifying what "pharmaceutical grade" means for consumers. It details the brand's stringent third-party testing protocols, advanced manufacturing techniques, and commitment to transparency and freshness, comparing its standards to established international benchmarks. The review also touches upon the company's approach to absorption and sustainability.

Key Points

No US Standard: There is no official 'pharmaceutical grade' standard for fish oil supplements in the United States, but Nordic Naturals surpasses stringent international standards.
Third-Party Tested: Every batch is tested by third-party, ISO-accredited labs for purity and potency, with Certificates of Analysis available online.
Superior Freshness: Nordic Naturals uses a proprietary, oxygen-free manufacturing process to ensure minimal oxidation, resulting in a fresh product with no fishy burps.
True Triglyceride Form: The fish oil is in the natural triglyceride form, which is better absorbed by the body compared to the ethyl ester form used by many other brands.
Sustainable Sourcing: Fish are wild-caught from sustainable fisheries and certified by Friend of the Sea, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
Transparency: The brand provides full transparency by making test results available to consumers, allowing them to verify purity and potency directly.

Demystifying the "Pharmaceutical Grade" Label

The term "pharmaceutical grade" is often used to imply high quality in dietary supplements, but it is not a classification mandated by the FDA in the U.S.. It is generally used to indicate products that meet or exceed rigorous international standards for purity, potency, and freshness. Nordic Naturals voluntarily adheres to and surpasses major global benchmarks, including the European Pharmacopoeia Standard (EPS), to ensure high quality.

Nordic Naturals' Rigorous Testing and Purity Standards

Nordic Naturals maintains high standards through comprehensive testing and purification. Each batch undergoes third-party testing by certified laboratories to screen for environmental toxins such as heavy metals (like mercury), dioxins, and PCBs. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) summarizing these results are available for consumers to view online using their product's lot number.

Exceeding International Benchmarks

Without a federal U.S. standard, Nordic Naturals aligns its quality control with respected international benchmarks, exceeding voluntary standards from organizations like the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). This commitment aims for a higher level of product safety and effectiveness.

Third-Party Certification

Nordic Naturals utilizes independent laboratories for third-party testing to ensure objective verification of their product quality. While they previously used IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards), they now partner with other ISO-accredited labs for testing. All manufacturing processes and test results are also certified by NSF, another reputable third-party organization.

Manufacturing Process: Freshness and Absorption

The company's manufacturing process is designed to optimize product quality from catch to bottle. Fish are processed promptly, and a proprietary nitrogen environment is used throughout production to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.

Nordic Naturals fish oils are primarily in the true triglyceride form, which is naturally found in fish and is generally considered more easily absorbed by the body compared to the ethyl ester form used in some concentrated fish oils.

Comparison Table: Nordic Naturals vs. Generic Fish Oil


Feature	Nordic Naturals	Generic Fish Oil	Pharmaceutical Grade (Claim)	IFOS 5-Star
Purity Standards	Exceeds EPS, CRN, GOED	Varies widely; may meet minimal standards	Meets/exceeds high international standards	Meets highest IFOS standards
Third-Party Tested	Yes, by ISO-accredited labs; COA available	Often none or unreliable	Independent testing for contaminants	Yes, tested by IFOS
Form	True Triglyceride	Varies; often ethyl ester	Varies, depends on brand's process	Tested for concentration
Freshness	Low oxidation via nitrogen processing	Often higher oxidation, leading to fishy taste	Minimal oxidation, no fishy aftertaste	Extremely low oxidation values
Contaminant Levels	Virtually undetectable heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins	Presence of detectable contaminants is possible	Minimal/undetectable contaminants	Undetectable contaminants

Sustainable Sourcing Practices

Sustainability is a core focus for Nordic Naturals. They source fish from certified sustainable fisheries that primarily harvest wild-caught species like Arctic cod, anchovies, and sardines. This practice is verified by third-party certification from Friend of the Sea (FOS), ensuring adherence to strict sustainability and fishing management standards.

Conclusion: A High-Quality Standard, but Not a Regulated "Pharmaceutical Grade"

While "pharmaceutical grade" is not a federally regulated term for supplements in the U.S., Nordic Naturals' stringent quality controls, third-party testing, and adherence to international standards mean its products function at a level of purity comparable to what the term suggests. Their transparency, accessible Certificates of Analysis, focus on freshness, the use of the triglyceride form, and sustainable sourcing contribute to their reputation for high-quality omega-3 products.

For more information on their quality and transparency, you can visit the Nordic Naturals promise page here.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the U.S., "pharmaceutical grade" for fish oil is not an official, regulated term. It is used by brands to signify a high level of purity, freshness, and potency that exceeds minimal standards.

Yes, every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oil is third-party tested for environmental toxins, including heavy metals like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins.

Yes, Nordic Naturals provides Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for every product. Consumers can find specific test results for their bottle by entering the lot number on the company's website.

According to a company representative, Nordic Naturals chose to partner with other laboratories for its independent testing due to business factors related to the IFOS parent company. It continues to rely on third-party verification from other labs, and its processes are certified by NSF.

The triglyceride form is the molecular structure naturally found in fish and is generally considered to be better absorbed by the body than the ethyl ester form found in some other concentrated fish oils.

Nordic Naturals uses wild-caught, non-endangered species of fish, including Arctic cod from Norwegian waters and anchovies and sardines from the South Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The fisheries are certified sustainable by Friend of the Sea.

The company uses a proprietary, oxygen-free manufacturing process with a nitrogen environment to protect the oil from oxidation. This maintains exceptional freshness and prevents the fishy smell and aftertaste.

Yes, Nordic Naturals emphasizes sustainable sourcing, using only wild-caught, non-endangered fish from sustainable fisheries. Their manufacturing facility also uses biofuel derived from leftover fish fats.