nutrient
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
EPA is a long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in seafood and some supplements.
Educational draft · Human scientific and editorial review pending. About review status
EPA is incorporated into lipids and can serve as a precursor for signalling mediators; food and supplement forms vary widely.
Food sources
Per 100 g| Food | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Atlantic salmon, farmed, raw (SR Legacy 2018) | 0.86 g |
| Atlantic salmon, farmed, cooked (SR Legacy 2018) | 0.69 g |
| Atlantic sardines, canned in oil (SR Legacy 2018) | 0.47 g |
| Atlantic salmon, farmed, raw | 0.32 g |
| Salmon | 0.21 g |
Show 7 more foods
| Food | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Rainbow trout, wild, raw (SR Legacy 2018) | 0.17 g |
| Light tuna, canned in water, drained | 0.03 g |
| Braised chicken drumstick | <0.01 g |
| Braised chicken breast | <0.01 g |
| Almonds, dry-roasted and salted | <0.01 g |
| Roasted beef tenderloin | <0.01 g |
| Cottage cheese, 2% fat | <0.01 g |
About these amounts
These values describe the named food and preparation. A 100 g comparison is not a suggested serving. Small amounts are rounded for display; an unreported amount is not zero.
Portions recorded by the source
- Light tuna, canned in water, drained: 1 can (142 g) — 0.04 g.
- Braised chicken drumstick: 1 drumstick (104 g) — <0.01 g.
- Braised chicken breast: 1 piece (174 g) — <0.01 g.
- Almonds, dry-roasted and salted: 1 cup (135 g) — <0.01 g.
- Roasted beef tenderloin: 1 roast (462 g) — <0.01 g.
- Cottage cheese, 2% fat: 1 cup (220 g) — <0.01 g.
The source records and EFSA guidance are linked in References below.
How it works
A preformed long-chain omega-3
EPA is obtained directly from foods such as fish and seafood or from supplements. It is chemically distinct from ALA, although ALA can be converted to a small extent; seafood also supplies other nutrients alongside EPA.
Related topics
Polyunsaturated fat includes Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
EPA is one member of the polyunsaturated fatty-acid group.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: European Food Safety Authority: Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterol
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) can be converted in small amounts to Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
The body converts some ALA to EPA, but NIH ODS describes the conversion as very limited.
Evidence: Supported · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact Sheet
Worth knowing
EFSA groups EPA with DHA. EFSA sets an adult adequate intake of 250 mg/day for EPA plus DHA together, rather than a separate EPA target.
A closer look
Supplement labels vary
NIH ODS notes that omega-3 supplements differ in chemical form and amount. A product label is needed to know how much EPA is present.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- European Food Safety Authority (opens in new tab)Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterolChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (opens in new tab)Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Health Professional Fact SheetChecked 2026-09-05
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (opens in new tab)FoodData Central Foundation Foods, April 2026 JSON releaseChecked 2026-09-05
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (opens in new tab)FoodData Central SR Legacy, April 2018 JSON releaseChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (opens in new tab)Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsChecked 2026-09-05
- USDA Agricultural Research Service (opens in new tab)FoodData CentralChecked 2026-09-04
Take it into the kitchen
Explore this nutrient in simple meals. Recipe pages show estimated amounts and missing data.
Lemon mackerel green bean potatoes · 25 min →
Lemon sardine barley salad · 15 min →
Sardine broccoli lemon pasta · 25 min →
Compare meals by eicosapentaenoic acid (epa) →