Question 1

What does sustainably harvested mean?

Accepted Answer

All Alaska seafood is wild and sustainable, and it is managed for protection against overfishing, habitat damage, and pollution. Sustainability means fisheries can exist long-term without compromising the surrounding ecosystem. Since 1959, the Alaska constitution has mandated that “fish be utilized, developed and maintained on the sustained yield principle”. Fish farming is illegal in Alaska. If it’s from Alaska, no matter what species, it is wild.

Every aspect of Alaska’s fisheries have been strictly regulated, closely monitored and rigidly enforced for nearly five decades. Alaska sets the standard for precautionary resource management and its successful management practices are considered a model of sustainability for the entire world. Alaska’s commercial salmon fishery has been certified as sustainable under Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards.

Question 2

Is there any studies about salmon oil and heavy metals?

Accepted Answer

We regularly conduct testing of our products for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and PCB’s. Although usually present in farmed fish, wild Alaskan salmon continually test free, one more reason why farmed Atlantic salmon oil must go through molecular distillation. Another benefit of Alaskan salmon is that the State of Alaska also regularly tests for heavy metals, pesticides and PCB’s and you can find their results online.

The Cook Inlet region of South-central Alaska near Anchorage is the most populated in the state. Studies performed for the U.S. Minerals Management Service report that Cook Inlet’s waters and sediments are remarkably free of hydrocarbons and metals. One of the research teams, University of Alaska’s Environmental and Natural Resources Institute, said “The physical, chemical, and bioassay results of this study show that Cook Inlet has very low environmental concentrations of hydrocarbons, and that sediments and water are generally free from toxicity. Results also show no immediate evidence of heavy metal pollution in Cook Inlet.”

Question 3

How do you guarantee purity and safety?

Accepted Answer

All Lars Pet ingredients are non-GMO, including our natural mixed tocopherols, and are routinely tested by third party laboratories for heavy metals, microorganisms, pesticides and dioxins along with fatty acid content, moisture, guaranteed analysis and peroxide value to meet stringent international standards for products destined for human consumption.

We triple protect our product. First, at processing we immediately blend in natural mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) to protect the oil. Second, we utilize a nitrogen environment during processing and packaging and keep the oil super-saturated with nitrogen at all times. The bottles and oil are flushed yet again during filling. Nitrogen is an inert gas that is used to displace oxygen. Third, we package in the safest bottle available that not only performs the function of oxygen barrier but also ensures that absolutely no UV light penetrates. This is the same bottle that is used to safeguard the finest oils produced for human use. Only when you break the seal on first use is the oil subjected to oxygen and that is why mixed tocopherols are included. Once opened it is best to use the oil within the next 6 months or so. Refrigeration is not required but is recommended for any oil.

We test each batch as it is made and again at 12 months and 24 months. At 24 months the oil consistently tests out exactly the same as when bottled with no detectable signs of degradation.

Question 4

Can I take this oil with my dog?

Accepted Answer

Although we use human food-grade oil, we have made the decision to market our products for pet use and focus 100% of our efforts on research and development for pets. Due to insurance and FDA licensing limitations, we are not permitted to sell for human consumption and cannot legally make a “human use” claim.

Question 5

Aren't plastic bottles toxic?

Accepted Answer

There is misinformation implying that plastic bottles break down and impart chemicals back into the food product contained within. Hexane is mentioned as the toxic chemical. Food grade PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. No hexane is used in its production or is present in the finished material.

There is a specialized form of PET called PETG (Eastman Chemical and SK Chemicals are the only two manufacturers) that is used for specific non-food chemical products, but is not generally available on the market. Our bottles are food grade.

HDPE (high density polyethylene) is also food grade and used in millions of consumer food product packages. Hexane is not used in its manufacture or finished product. This material is resistant to even the harshest of chemicals and insoluble in organic solvents, when burned both produce carbon, hydrogen and water.

Our food grade PET and HDPE bottles and caps are produced in North America and are easily recycled. Most Aluminum bottles are sourced in China. Because our landfills are so full of aluminum cans, some landfills incinerate extra aluminum. This isn’t just a huge waste, it also pours toxic metals and gases into the atmosphere.

Question 6

Do I need to refrigerate the oil?

Accepted Answer

We utilize non-GMO natural mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) as a natural antioxidant preservation system. The mixed tocopherols start to work when the oil is exposed to oxygen and will provide sufficient protection for up to six months of opening the bottle.

It's always wise to store oil in a cool location - though not required, we usually suggest refrigeration as another form of protection.

Question 7

How much air is sucked back into the bottle when dispensing?

Accepted Answer

The exact same amount as everyone else. No exception. Air will displace the volume of fluid that is dispensed in ANY package. If it didn’t, the bottle would “panel” excessively and look all sucked in. When fluid is dispensed it creates a vacuum inside the bottle and it quickly equalizes with the surrounding atmosphere, either down the pump mechanism or through the valve.

We triple protect our products. First, we immediately blend in non-GMO natural mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) to protect the oil. Second, we utilize a nitrogen environment during processing and packaging and keep the oil super-saturated with nitrogen at all times. The bottles and oil are flushed again during filling. Nitrogen is an inert gas that is used to displace oxygen.

Third, we package in the safest bottle available, that not only performs the function of oxygen barrier, but also ensures that absolutely no UV light penetrates. This is the same bottle that is used to safeguard the finest oils produced for human use. Only when the consumer breaks the seal is the oil first subjected to oxygen and that is exactly why mixed tocopherols are included. Once opened, it is best to use the oil within the next six months or so. Refrigeration is not required, but is recommended for any oil.

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