USDA Study Finds Less Omega-3 in Farmed Salmon

A federal analysis of farmed Atlantic salmon reports markedly lower EPA and DHA levels than older government nutrition data.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Nutrition

USDA Study Finds Less Omega-3 in Farmed Salmon

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Do you think farmed salmon is still a healthy choice for your family?

A study led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and published in Frontiers in Nutrition found farmed Atlantic salmon contains 63.8% less EPA and 47.5% less DHA than older federal nutritional data. The analysis examined eight fillets purchased from retailers in the mid-Atlantic region.

Why it matters

The findings challenge long-standing nutrition figures consumers use when choosing seafood for omega-3 intake. Researchers suggested the differences could reflect changes in fish feed, as salmon farms increasingly substitute plant-based oils for marine fish oils.

The analysis sampled eight farmed Atlantic salmon fillets from mid-Atlantic retailers and compared results with older USDA data. The small sample size and unconfirmed feed explanation leave the broader applicability of the decline unresolved.

The players

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The federal agency that led the study and maintains the national nutritional databases used for food composition data.

Andrew Zimmern

A James Beard Award-winning chef and television personality who co-authored The Blue Food Cookbook and publicly defended farmed salmon.

The details

USDA's new analysis concluded that farmed Atlantic salmon remains a nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids despite the lower measured levels. Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern, co-author of The Blue Food Cookbook, publicly pushed back against concerns about farmed salmon after visiting farms in Chile.

Study published in Frontiers in Nutrition; article reporting the findings and Zimmern's response appeared November 1, 2026.

Big Picture

The study updates federal nutrient composition figures for farmed salmon that appear in the USDA's national food databases. It suggests those long-used values may no longer reflect current farmed fish.

Shoppers relying on farmed salmon for omega-3 intake may want to recheck expectations for EPA and DHA content. Consumers can compare fish options, including wild-caught varieties, when planning omega-3 intake.

The takeaway

Omega-3 content in farmed salmon may be lower than older federal data suggested, so checking current nutrition sources can help when planning seafood intake. Diversifying omega-3 sources may be worth considering alongside salmon.