Supermarkets Removed Krill Oil From Store Shelves
Major retailers ended sales of these supplements as environmental campaigns raised concerns about sustainable sourcing.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Organic Food
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Coles and Woolworths discontinued their inventory of krill oil products following increased pressure from environmental advocacy groups. While major supermarkets have shifted their stocking policies, these supplements remain available through other retail channels like pharmacy chains.
Why it matters
Retailers are reevaluating their stock in response to ongoing campaigns against Antarctic fishing practices, marking a shift in how stores approach sustainability. This change influences product availability for consumers who look to these sources for omega-3 fatty acids.
Official reports indicate the Antarctic krill fishery in Area 48 reached 624,918 tonnes in 2025, triggering a closure on August 1, 2026. While 15 retailers have joined the Antarctic Krill Protection Pledge to limit future sales, the total ecological impact of these harvests remains under ongoing scrutiny.
The players
Coles
An Australian supermarket chain that removed krill oil products from its inventory.
Woolworths
An Australian grocery retailer that stopped selling krill oil supplements.
Aker BioMarine
A biotech company that harvests krill and reports a 20% annual business growth rate.
Swisse
A manufacturer of vitamins and supplements that withdrew its krill oil products from major supermarkets.
Holland and Barrett
A health food retailer that committed to stopping the sale of krill-based products.
The details
Krill oil is typically extracted using deep-sea trawling, a process that companies like Aker BioMarine have attempted to modernize with eco-harvesting technologies. These methods employ specialized nets with Kevlar devices designed to reduce marine animal bycatch, which is reported at 0.2% of the total catch. Retailers signing the protection pledge commit to phasing out existing inventory without introducing new krill-based products.
Timeline
2024: Swisse stopped stocking products in Coles and Woolworths.
2025: Antarctic krill harvest reached 624,918 tonnes.
August 1, 2026: The Antarctic krill fishery in Area 48 closed.
September 22, 2026: Krill oil remains available in online pharmacy stores.
Health Landscape
The retail withdrawal of krill oil follows the framework established by the Antarctic Krill Protection Pledge, which encourages companies to limit the sale of marine-derived supplements. This trend reflects a broader push to reconcile the growth of the global pet and human supplement market with environmental preservation.
If you rely on krill oil for omega-3 supplementation, you may need to check different suppliers as major supermarkets phase out their stocks. It is worth discussing alternative, sustainably sourced options with your doctor if you are concerned about the environmental footprint of your current regimen.
The takeaway
The exit of krill oil from major retailers highlights the growing influence of sustainability pledges on supplement availability. Readers should verify the sourcing of their own supplements and discuss the necessity of specific marine-based products with a healthcare provider.
Further reading
Learn more about the transparency and sourcing standards in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NutraIngredients.
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