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.

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.

What is TOTOX and why does it matter?

TOTOX stands for Total Oxidation, and it's an internationally recognised marker of the quality of fish oil and omega-3 supplements. 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 an oil has degraded.

A lower TOTOX means a fresher oil. High TOTOX scores indicate oxidised 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 that interfere with the optical tests used to measure AV, rendering the TOTOX value unreliable or even unusable for these oils. Source.

An example of such a pigment is astaxanthin. Krill oil and Calanus oil are rich in astaxanthin - a powerful antioxidant that also gives them a deep red colour. Calanus oil contains even 20 times more astaxanthin than krill.

If no TOTOX can be measured, it doesn't mean these oils are low-quality.

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

Quality control beyond TOTOX

What should you look for if your omega-3 supplement doesn't have a TOTOX score? Quality brands use:

Peroxide Value (PV) only, when AV is not applicable
Advanced testing, such as 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 occur naturally or are added.

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		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

Calanus oil: A naturally stable omega-3

NoordCode uses 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

Since we can't measure its TOTOX score (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.