From Sea to Supplement: How Wiley’s Finest Ensures Sustainability, Purity, and Potency
Every Wiley’s Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil product begins far from store shelves—in the icy, prolific waters of the Bering Sea. Here, Wild Alaska Pollock thrive in one of the world’s most carefully managed fisheries. Our promise of purity and sustainability starts there and continues through every step until your bottle is in hand.
Sustainably Sourced and Wild Caught
We work with trusted, long-time partner fishers who follow rigorous, science-based practices. Their operations are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a globally recognized program that helps protect ocean ecosystems, support fishing communities, and maintain healthy fish populations. For these crews, sustainability isn’t a slogan—it’s how they fish, day in and day out.
Preparing for the Catch
While many people are celebrating the holidays in December, our partner fishers are gearing up for “A Season,” the first of two annual Pollock harvests, running from January 20th - April 30th. This creates a short, intense window that demands precision. Timing the catch, monitoring fish numbers, and following catch limits are all guided by data and research to keep the fishery healthy for the long term.
Gentle Extraction for Maximum Freshness
Once fish are brought on board the ship, the clock matters. Handling and processing start right away—measured in hours, not days. The catch is sorted and processed on the vessel or taken straight to a nearby processor, keeping temperatures cold and air exposure low. This is important because heat, oxygen, and time can damage delicate omega-3s and cause off-flavors. By moving quickly and keeping conditions cool, the oil rendered from the fish stays fresher, with lower oxidation and better preservation of the nutrients. The crude oil is then sealed away from air and light and shipped in dedicated rail cars to our manufacturing campus in Coshocton, Ohio - so the quality you start with at sea is the same quality you get in the final supplement.
The Refining Process
When the oil arrives in Coshocton, it is first gently purified. Next, the omega-3s are briefly converted into an “easier to concentrate” form called ethyl esters. This step allows us to isolate and concentrate the levels of EPA and DHA with minimal heat and air exposure, protecting freshness and taste.
After concentration, the oil can remain in the ethyl-ester form or be converted back to triglycerides (rTG), closer to how omega-3s occur in fish. Either way, the goal is the same: more Omega-3 EPA and DHA in fewer softgels with a clean, mild taste. Each batch is held to a strict TOTOX limit—an industry freshness score that reflects how much the oil has reacted with oxygen. Lower TOTOX means fresher oil, fewer “fishy” burps, and better potency over the product’s shelf life.
Rigorous Testing for Quality Assurance
Your fish oil doesn’t leave the plant until it proves itself—on paper and in the lab. Every production lot is verified by our in-house quality team and then confirmed by independent, third-party laboratories.
- Purity (nothing you don’t want): We test for heavy metals (like mercury and lead), environmental contaminants (PCBs, dioxins, furans, PAHs), and residual solvents. Results must meet strict industry limits. Oils are also checked for microbials and allergens to help ensure safety.
- Potency (what the label promises): We measure the actual amounts of EPA and DHA using validated methods and confirm they meet our label claims. If a lot doesn’t meet specs, it doesn’t ship—period.
- Freshness (clean taste, no aftertaste): We monitor oxidation with recognized markers—peroxide value, anisidine value, and TOTOX. Lower numbers mean fresher oil with better taste and stability over time.
- Identity & traceability: Each batch is documented from sea to softgel, including where and when it was harvested and how it was handled. That paper trail supports consistency you can count on.
- Packaging & stability: Oils are bottled or encapsulated under protective conditions to limit oxygen exposure, then placed through ongoing shelf-life checks to confirm they stay fresh and potent until the “best by” date.
- Proof you can see: We issue a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for each lot that summarizes key test results for purity, potency, and freshness—transparent data available for retailers and consumers alike.
Expert Formulation
Our exceptional formulation experts design each product with a clear purpose—support for heart, brain, joints, prenatal wellness, and more—then select forms and doses of omega-3s that align with current research.
- Evidence-guided formulas: We balance EPA and DHA to match the goal of each product and, where appropriate, pair them with supportive nutrients.
- Thoughtful ingredient choices: We keep formulas clean and straightforward. Antioxidants help protect the oil to maintain a mild taste and strong stability.
- Smaller, easier servings: Concentrated oils deliver more omega-3s in fewer, smaller softgels without compromising quality.
Packaging to Protect What's Inside
- Low-oxygen bottling: We fill under protective conditions (such as nitrogen flushing and tight oxygen control) and seal quickly to help prevent oxidation.
- Light- and air-barrier materials: Dark bottles, tight caps, and tamper-evident seals help keep the oil fresh from the first softgel to the last.
- Ongoing stability checks: We test throughout shelf life to ensure the product meets specification right through its “best by” date.
- Recyclable materials: All of our bottling materials are selected with recyclability in mind, reducing waste without sacrificing protection.
Delivered with Purpose
From sea to supplement, our mission is clear: provide high-quality omega-3 nutrition while protecting our planet. When you choose Wiley’s Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, you’re getting more than a bottle on a shelf—you’re supporting responsible fishing, careful science, and transparent quality. It’s our promise of purity, potency, and sustainability—every step of the way.
