The Carlson Sustainability Story

Since Carlson helped launch the omega-3 market in North America in 1982, they have always used low-impact fisheries with ethical practices and sustainable methods. To ensure maximum freshness, Carlson omega-3s are closely managed from sea to store. Carlson sources the highest quality deep, cold-water fish using traditional, sustainable methods. And freshness, potency, and purity are guaranteed.

Carlson omega-3 fish oil supplements are made with very pure highly potent oil sourced from wild caught fish. The fish chosen to make Carlson products are species that are quickly and easily replenished due to the natural fish lifecycle. Carlson and their suppliers hold Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification. FOS is a non-profit organization whose mission is marine habitat conservation. Friend of the Sea is a project of the World Sustainability Organization for the certification and promotion of seafood from sustainable fisheries and sustainable aquaculture.

Carlson offers a plant-based omega-3 option in liquid and capsule form. Vegetarian DHA, and Vegetarian Prenatal DHA are made from non-GMO algae and are non-GMO tested through IGEN. The IGEN (International GMO Evaluation and Notification) Program aims to verify label claims about the presence of GMOs in products and ingredients. The IGEN Non-GMO Certified icon found on Carlson labels certifies that the finished product does not contain any GMO markers.

Vitamin D is important because it regulates over 2,000 genes and supports immune health, calcium absorption, bone health, heart health, and more. Considering that around one in two individuals in the Western world are low in vitamin D, it makes it an essential nutrient. Most of us do not get enough vitamin D due to a combination of factors such as lack of sunlight exposure or regular sunscreen use. And those who follow a vegan diet or do not consume the few foods that contain good amounts of vitamin D such as salmon, tuna, sardines, cod liver oil, egg yolks, or fortified dairy, may be missing out on this nutrient altogether.

Carlson plant-based vitamin D3 is the only organic plant-based vitamin D3 that can be used as a direct replacement for animal-sourced D3, such as from lanolin. Carlson plant-based vitamin D3 is sourced from algae, a sustainable, perennial plant source, offering an environmentally conscious option of superior purity and quality. The fully traceable supply chain is pesticide, protein, and heavy-metal compliant. It is also Vegan Society approved.

Carlson Super Daily D3 products are boxed in Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified packaging. SFI is a non-profit organization that was created to promote responsible forest management and to ensure that tree-based products were grown and harvested in sustainable ways. SFI guidelines include requirements to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and at-risk species. To be certified, forest operations must undergo independent audits by accredited certification bodies. SFI is committed to continuously advancing sustainable forest management.

Carlson is also a plastic neutral company. The Carlson family takes the health of our planet as seriously as the health of their customers. The entire Carlson product line is recyclable and 100% plastic neutral. Through the Impact Collective initiative for every product purchased, the same amount of plastic waste is removed from the planet’s waterways, giving every Carlson purchase a net-zero plastic footprint.

Carlson offsets the plastic in Carlson products through investments in certified plastic removal projects taking place in our global waterways. Working with 21 fishing ports, 229 fishing vessels, and 1,300 fishermen and women collecting, recycling, upcycling – and integrating plastic back into the circular economy.

Since 1965 the Carlson brand has been synonymous with quality, today the brand is synonymous with sustainability and is on a mission to protect the health of the planet.