© BioMar
The change follows internal research confirming that higher dietary vitamin D3 results in a proportional increase in fillet vitamin D content, without negatively affecting feed intake, conversion rates, or fish performance.
In 2019, the European Union increased the maximum permitted vitamin D₃ level in salmonid aquafeed from 2,500 to 60,000 IU (International Units) per kilo, following EFSA’s assessment that this higher dose was safe for salmonids. However, due to limited data, the change did not apply to other fish species. Following this, BioMar explored the effects of increased supplementation on fish health and fillet composition, finding improvements in both welfare and consumer nutritional value.
“Vitamin D is crucial for fish health, supporting bone development, calcium regulation and immune function. Our research confirms that feeds with optimised vitamin D3 levels enriched fillet vitamin D content while maintaining an optimal fish performance,” said Pedro Gómez Requeni, senior R&D scientist at BioMar, in a press release.
Salmon farmers using BioMar feed will now benefit from diets that support robust fish growth while naturally producing fillets with higher vitamin D levels, aligning with consumer demand for nutrient-rich functional foods.
“Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of vitamin D for their health,’’ added Simon Wadsworth, R&D Director at BioMar. ‘’By formulating feeds that naturally enrich fish fillets, we are helping farmers offer products with added value and supporting public health goals.”
According to BioMar, the enhanced vitamin D3 content in salmon fillets will contribute to increased dietary intake for consumers, helping to address widespread vitamin D insufficiency. The company sees this as a meaningful way to support fish health, deliver added value to farmers and respond to growing consumer interest in nutrient-rich foods.
