Updated 1/2019.
In 2015, Dr. Kaayla Daniels wrote: “I tested Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO) at five of the world’s top laboratories because of mounting concerns about product safety and growing evidence of serious harm to consumers. I reviewed the data with many of the world’s leading marine oil and fats experts, all of whom concurred that it was rancid, putrid and low in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and K. Furthermore, DNA testing showed the livers were not from Nordic cod, but from cheap Alaskan pollock, a case of mislabeling that many consumers consider fraud. Worse, the labs provided evidence that the product had been diluted with a vegetable oil that contained trans fats of a type found ONLY in vegetable oils.“
{Don’t confuse God’s gift of plain cod liver oil with the questionable fermented oil product. Regular Cod liver oil has many health benefits.]
“It’s been nearly three years now since I released these findings in my report Hook, Line and Stinker: The Truth about Fermented Cod Liver Oil. Not long after, Green Pasture — facing probable investigation by the FDA and other agencies — scrubbed its website of unwarranted health claims, questionable data about vitamin and other nutrient levels, and incorrect statements about its manufacturing processes. No matter. Fallon Morell, in her role as Green Pasture’s marketing arm, allows that information to remain on the Weston A. Price Foundation’s website. And she avidly promotes the product with articles, podcasts and at conferences.
“At some point after 2015 Green Pasture switched from making its “cod liver oil” from Alaskan pollock to Alaskan cod. In all probability, the company took this action to avoid fraudulent labeling charges. The decision proved helpful as well to gain a stamp of approval from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Although the MSC stamp of approval leads many members of WAPF to conclude that all is now well with Green Pasture, the bottom line is MSC cares only that the fish livers in question come from Alaskan cod and were sustainably fished.”
And the controversy continues on today.
FCLO Exposed?
In her whistleblower report 3 years ago, Dr. Kaayla Daniel of the Weston A. Price Foundation (a staunch supporter and promoter of Green Pastures FCLO), risked her standing and reputation to expose FCLO believing it to be toxic from rancidity. She started questioning FCLO years earlier when pulmonary embolisms became common in the WAPF community. Many WestonAPricers (die-hard FCLO consumers) have been very sick or died over the years. Katherine Czapp, editor of WAPF’s Wise Traditions, died of cancer at age 56 last year and WAPF board member, Carol Esche, died soon after of metastatic breast cancer.
2 other well-known health writers Dr. Ron Schmid and Rami Nagel faithfully took FCLO, got sick and died. It was blamed on FCLO.
This controversy left avid FCLO fans reeling and seeking truth. Dr. Kaayla was accused of profiteering and lying, and was, ultimately, fired from the foundation only later to be vindicated.
Some of the big food bloggers did not retracted their promotion of FCLO. Rumors say there appeared to have been knowledge of it for several years, and many families were still consuming rancid, toxic oil thinking they are boosting their immunity and overall health. Many of them have now retracted, re-written or taken down their posts.
Blogger Sarah Smith of Nourished and Nurtured, way back in 2013, raised concerns, but until the disturbing test results on FCLO came out in 2015, there was not much on it.
Because of questions raised about the truth of the FCLO test results that Green Pasture posted on their website (and which appears to have been taken down), Dr. Kaayla sent unopened bottles of FCLO to multiple laboratories in the United States and abroad.
You can read the whole 100+ page report here if you like, but here’s a summary:
- Cod liver cannot be fermented because fermentation requires carbohydrates.
- Trans-fat content (suggesting heat processing/ vegetable oil).
- 7 Samples of fermented cod liver oil were sent to 7 different labs to test for:
- 6 Rancid bio-marker tests (varying results)
- Biogenic amines – a product of rotting/ fermented foods with in some circumstances can be toxic
- Vitamin content showing –
- Moderate levels of vitamin A.
- Low levels of vitamin D3.
- Low/ insignificant levels of Co-Q10 and vitamin K.
- DNA testing which shows the product is 100% Alaska Pollock.
How Does Rancid Fat Harm Us?
Health Effects of Rancid Fat. Excerpt: “Rancid fat can destroy vitamins, which leads to deficiency. (It’s an indirect health effect of eating rancid fat, since what harms you is the deficiency, rather than the fat itself.)” (Source: Pavcek PL, Shull GM. J Biol Chem 146(2):351-5, 1942.)
Many FCLO-user reported health issues:
Vitamin D Deficiency
Problems with Eyesight and Other Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency
Bleeding
Hair Loss
C-Reactive Protein Test (Inflammation)
Other Lab Tests
Ovarian Cysts
Birth Defects
Trouble Digesting FCLO: Nausea, Heartburn, Burning in Throat, Stomach Pain, Etc.
Heart Disease & Stroke
Tooth Decay, Cavities & Bone Loss
Gallstones & Pancreatitis
Skin Rashes and Eczema
Still Questions Abound & Politics
Dr. Kaayla’s report showed that the Green Pasture FCLO has some evidence of rancidity. Eating rancid fat causes vitamin deficiencies. But are the fat-soluble vitamin tests in Dr. Daniel’s report reliable? And this post is helpful in understanding more of possible politics surrounding FCLO.
I guess the final verdict is still out. I’m thankful we never went the FCLO route.
2 Cod Liver Oils that have Naturally Occurring Vit A
Vital Nutrients pharmaceutical grade product beats the product we used to use with 1200 mg. Omega-3s and also high naturally occurring Vitamin A and D.
But I like Dropi Cod Liver Oil even better. Dropi CLO is cold processed and therefore classified as virgin oil. The vitamins A & D are in their natural state and may therefore vary between seasons. The vitamins A & D are not synthetic.
In part, I write this blog because I care about people’s health, and I worry about all the people out there who have and will fall victim to this, but we can’t always know the truth of something. Good health is a gift from God, and I don’t take it lightly. Please do your research before you consume FCLO or give it to your family – as you would with anything you consume.
My hope is that no matter what further studies find about FCLO, the real food community will see the importance of verifying the quality of supplements we recommend. I hope we can use this as an opportunity to improve the real food movement and not divide it.
Evidence Fish Oil/Cod Liver Oil Can Help Treat Autism, Brain Injury and Dyslexia
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Thanks for reading!
Charity says
Oh my! I take FCLO and hadn’t heard about this before.
Jacqueline says
Charity, I know! It shocked me, and I am still going to keep digging. There has to be some way to find out for certain. In the meantime, I would hold off.
Dar Normand says
I’m currently taking the Blue Ice Royal Blend FCLOBO… it’s with the butter oil…I thought this was good for me, not so sure now. Any ideas on this company?
Jacqueline says
Dar, there are several other things to read as you make up your mind for yourself. Here are a few of them:
https://chriskresser.com/important-update-on-cod-liver-oil/
https://www.thehealthcloud.co.uk/the-other-side-of-the-fclo-scandal/
I don’t think it is possible for anyone (unless it’s Green Pastures, the company producing the fermented cod liver oil in question) to know the answers to all of the questions that many people are asking right now.
Jennifer says
Thank you for sharing! I have not taken this for several months, but I did take it faithfully for about 3 years and had one of my daughters taking it with me!! 🙁 I just told my husband I needed to order it again, but I think not now. Wow. 🙁
I will say, praise God, I never noticed any ill effects while on it.
Jacqueline says
I am thankful, Jennifer! I know so many who have used it and love it, so I wanted to be balanced in my reporting. We almost went that route, too. I just hope everyone researches more before continuing use. Thank you for commenting 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks for the info. Just to play devils advocate: I started taking FCLO after I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. I have been taking it through 4 pregnancies . Have delivered SUPER healthy babies, I feel amazing and my optometrist just told me that my vision improved and now need a lower prescription. I can’t attribute it obviously to just the cod liver oil, and this isn’t scientific, however, it’s always important to hear info on
both sides. I am going to do some more research. Thanks again!
Jacqueline says
Michelle, I am super excited to hear that you are doing so well with having that diagnosis!!! I love that your vision is better and your babes are very healthy! Praise God for that 😀 I hesitated to demonize the FCLO, but hoped to be balanced in urging further research! Sound like I hit that balance! Thank you for your wonderful comment. If you ever want to share with us the protocol you are on for the melanoma, I would be grateful as melanoma is so stubborn.
Blessings!
Michelle says
I take this daily also and have for years! I won’t be without it! I’ve read about this controversy for awhile now and have decided to keep taking it. Just my decision!
Charlotte Moore says
My goodness this is a bit scary. Never heard of this and glad I hadn’t.
How are you doing? Our family could sure use some extra PRAYERS.
GOD BLESS!
Jacqueline says
Charlotte, are you in TX? Oh, I am praying for you all!!!!!
We have been following the situation closely and are very sad for everyone. We have family in Austin and my brother is in Houston proper but on the 15th floor and everyone is stranded. I cry when I hear about the levy and all the property loss and people losing everything. Let me know more how I can pray, dear friend! I wish we could come and help in some way.
Sending up prayers and will not stop until I hear back!
Love and God protect and keep you all safe, J
Charlotte Moore says
No, we are in Georgia. It is such a sad time in so many places right now. Fires, floods,high winds,etc. My heart goes out to these people. They say we could get an impact from hurricane Irma with high winds and possible power outages.
We have a son that is going through a hard time. After 28 years his wife has filed for divorce.
Thanks for the PRAYERS!
Jacqueline says
I will continue to pray, Charlotte! I know a lot of us are on our knees crying out! Warm hugs to you, friend!
Katrina says
Thank you for this! I had a full bottle of FCLO in my cupboard and honestly threw it in the trash when I read Dr Daniel’s report when it came out a few years ago. I have 3 children and I’m not taking any chances. I find the lack of transparency by the producing company to be troubling, as well as the DNA testing that shows pollock and the lack of vitamins A and D.
The Price-Pottenger foundation has all of Weston A Price’s original works, and his writings show dark, strong tasting oils were never recommended by Price, but that he believed them inferior to light, mild tasting cod liver oils. This robust article by the Price-Pottenger Foundation is very informative. It seems to preclude FCLO from what Price would have used himself.
https://price-pottenger.org/healthy-living-tips/nutrition/cod-liver-oil-historical-perspective
I have to say my confidence in the work of WAPF has taken a hit through this whole controversy. It seems they care more about protecting one of their own, namely Green Pastures, than protecting the health of the people who put much trust in their work. I hate name calling but this whole issue has greatly troubled me. I have decided the Price-Pottenger foundation is a better fit for me, especially since they have Price’s original writings. But I am still very thankful for all I have learned in the past from the WAPF.
Patti says
Fortunately, I found out about this when the controversy went public and we immediately stopped taking it. Unfortunately, I still have a full container of the infused coconut oil in the netherlands of my refrigerator. I think it’s time to pitch it, $50 some down the drain!
Jacqueline says
🙁 I understand how bad that feels! Sorry, Patti, to be the bearer of bad news…
Beth says
My daughter takes one that is called “Purified Cod Liver Oil”. It does not mention that it is fermented anywhere on the bottle. Is that ok to take?
Melissa Wilson says
Thank you so much for the info. I have been taking Green Pastures cod liver oil and giving it to my 2 yr old for about a year now and she has not been sick with anything since taking it. I don’t know for sure if it is the cod liver oil or not. I also have her on probiotics and vitamin D3/k2 drops and I am still nursing her so I know that helps. So many of the bloggers I follow recommend it so I am thankful to hear this perspective but still don’t know if I will continue or not. I will probably the one you use.
christi says
How interesting! I hadn’t heard this. But realized that the oil tasted just like racid butter four years ago or so and between that and the (what I considered) suspiciously high price point, decided it wasn’t for us and started looking for something else. I’ve landed on Sonne’s Old Fashion Cod Liver Oil which is for sale at a very reasonable price on VitaCost.