What is a good TOTOX value?

Anything below 26 is considered acceptable. Premium oils often claim scores in the low teens or single digits.

Why don’t all omega-3 products list their TOTOX value?

Some oils, like krill or Calanus, contain pigments that prevent accurate measurement of anisidine value (AV), making TOTOX invalid.

Does a high TOTOX mean an omega-3 supplement is dangerous?

Not necessarily dangerous, but it could be less effective and more likely to cause side effects like fishy burps.

Is Calanus oil better than fish oil?

It depends on your priorities. Calanus is stable, naturally protected against oxidation, and minimally processed. It contains a high amount of astaxanthin - a powerful antioxidant. But it has a different fatty acid profile compared to traditional fish oil.

How can I compare TOTOX for best Omega 3 brands?

There is no database available for major brands, as brands don’t publish full batch‑by‑batch PV/AV/TOTOX values. At best they claim compliance with GOED standards of PV ≤ 5, AV ≤ 20, TOTOX ≤ 26.

Truth About TOTOX score: What It Says About Your Omega-3 Quality

Q: What is the Totox formula for Omega-3 fatty acids?

TOTOX (Total Oxidation) is one of the most widely recognized markers of fish oil freshness. It combines Peroxide Value (PV) for primary oxidation, and Anisidine Value (AV) for secondary oxidation. Formula: TOTOX = (2 × PV) + AV In short, it’s a formula that tells you how much your oil has degraded. A lower TOTOX means a fresher oil.

If you’re mindful about your omega-3 supplements, you want to know how much EPA and DHA you’re getting, but also in what condition they arrive. When it comes to omega-3 quality, there's one indicator that truly matters: the TOTOX score. Experts often refer to it as "the most important measure of fish oil quality."

But not every omega-3 oil can be assessed this way. So what exactly is TOTOX, and how does it relate to the Calanus oil in Ultimate Omega Formula?

What is TOTOX and Why Does It Matter?

TOTOX stands for Total Oxidation, and it's one of the most widely recognized markers of fish oil freshness. It combines two types of oxidation measurements: Peroxide Value (PV) for primary oxidation, and Anisidine Value (AV) for secondary oxidation. In short, it's a formula that tells you how much your oil has degraded.

A lower TOTOX means a fresher oil. High TOTOX scores indicate oxidized fats, a red flag, as oxidation degrades the health benefits of omega-3 and can cause that dreaded fishy burp or off-taste.

What is a good TOTOX score?

Most international standards recommend a maximum TOTOX value of 26 for omega-3 supplements. Anything higher suggests poor quality or age. GOED sets typical limits of PV ≤ 5, AV ≤ 20, TOTOX ≤ 26. Source.

GOED is the main global trade body for the EPA/DHA omega‑3 industry, and it sets the de‑facto quality benchmark that most serious brands follow. Its oxidation limits (including TOTOX) are defined in a voluntary standard and supported by technical guidance and lab proficiency testing.

How is TOTOX formula calculated?

Formula: TOTOX = (2 × PV) + AV

To understand the TOTOX formula, you need to know the two components:

Peroxide Value (PV): Measures early-stage oxidation. Think of this as the first signs of spoilage.
Anisidine Value (AV): Reflects secondary oxidation. These are the compounds that form once oil has been sitting around a bit longer.

Together, they offer a more complete picture of an oil's degradation. Values can be measured by IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards), the only third-party testing and certification program for fish oils.

But here's the twist: not all omega-3 oils can be accurately measured this way.

Why TOTOX Doesn't Work for Every Omega-3?

Some oils naturally contain pigments or antioxidants that interfere with the measurement of AV. That breaks the TOTOX formula.

Krill oil and Calanus oil are rich in astaxanthin - a powerful antioxidant that also gives them a deep red color. Calanus oil contains even 20 times more astaxanthin than krill. This pigment disrupts the optical tests used to measure AV, making the TOTOX value unreliable or even unusable for these oils. Source.

That doesn't mean the oils are low-quality - in fact, the presence of natural antioxidants like astaxanthin helps protect the oil from oxidation in the first place.

How does astaxanthin improve Omega 3 quality?

Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid pigment and a fat-soluble antioxidant with growing evidence for its health benefits. It protects the omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation but may also support broader health outcomes.

Antioxidant protection: Neutralizes reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, safeguarding cell membranes.
Anti-inflammatory support: Modulates inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress markers, which is under investigation in chronic conditions such as metabolic, cardiovascular, joint, and neurodegenerative diseases. Source

Quality Control Beyond TOTOX

If you can't rely on TOTOX for certain oils, what should you look for? Instead of TOTOX, quality brands use:

Peroxide Value (PV) only, when AV is not applicable
Third-party lab certificates with batch-specific oxidation data
Advanced testing like chromatographic profiles or sensory panels

You should also look for oils that are minimally processed, nitrogen-flushed, and packed in protective capsules to extend freshness. Also you should see whether antioxidants are occurring naturally or added.

Calanus Oil: A Naturally Stable Omega-3

This brings us to Calanus finmarchicus oil, a unique omega-3 source harvested from a small copepod in the cold North Atlantic. This is different from the more common fish oils.

What makes it outstanding?

It's naturally rich in astaxanthin, giving it high oxidative stability
The fatty acids are in a wax ester form, which further resists degradation
It's minimally processed — extracted with enzymes and frozen immediately after harvest

Even though you can't measure its TOTOX score, Calanus oil often outperforms traditional fish oils in terms of stability and purity.

Where can I find TOTOX ranking?

TOTOX rankings aren't always easy to find — many brands don't publish their scores. Below is a short list of top omega-3 products for which verified TOTOX values were available.

Product	Format	PV	p‑AnV	TOTOX	Evidence / batch context
Bare Biology Lion Heart	Liquid	2.51	6.63	11.65	IFOS report (Lot LHL25341; report date 04‑Mar‑2019).	Source
NORSAN Fishoil	Omega‑3 Total / FISK	0	7.6	7.6	Raw material analysis (Production: Sep‑2025).	Source
Arctic Blue Algae Oil capsules	Capsules	n.d.	n.d.	5.2		Source
Vitakruid, Visolie 1400 TG® met D3	Capsules	n.d.	n.d.	<5	Lab-getest, gecertificeerd en geproduceerd volgens farmaceutische normen	Source
Arctic Blue MSC Fish Oil capsules	Capsules	0–0.5	<1 to <2	4.9		Source
Puori Omega O3	Capsules	0.3	2	2.6	IFOS report (Lot 1252710100; report date 11‑Mar‑2019; availability includes Europe).	Source
NORSAN Algenöl	Omega‑3 Vegan / ALGA Jelly	<0.1	1	1	Raw material certificate (Production: Sep‑2025).	Source

NoordCode Ultimate Omega Formula

Because of it's outstanding properties we use Calanus oil for our Ultimate Omega Formula. Since this oil can't be tested using the TOTOX formula - due to its rich red colour, NoordCode has a focus on:

calanus-oil-high-antioxidant

Regular third-party peroxide testing
Laboratorium testing for heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and toxins
Ensuring freshness via minimal processing and cold-chain handling

The result? A highly stable, uncontaminated and unoxidized omega-3 supplement. Ultimate Omega Formula contains a broad spectrum of fatty acids bound in their natural wax ester form. Are you looking for a sustainable supplement, rich in omega-3 and naturally occurring astaxanthin? Discover our omega-3 capsules. Freshness guaranteed.