US Fish Oil and Omega-3: How to Choose and Read the Label

Which US fish oil should you buy? Learn to read EPA/DHA on the label, compare fish oil, krill and omega 3-6-9, kids' options and shipping tips.

TCS GlobalTCS Global teamPublished 6 min read
US Fish Oil and Omega-3: How to Choose and Read the Label
In this article (7)

Choosing a US fish oil or omega-3 supplement comes down to one habit: look past the big "mg of fish oil" number on the front and check the Supplement Facts panel for how much EPA and DHA you get per serving, and how many softgels make up that serving. Then pick the format, classic fish oil, krill oil or an omega 3-6-9 blend, that suits the person who will actually take it.

Fish oil is a popular wellness gift for parents in Vietnam. Below we cover how to read the label, how the American brands we carry compare, options for kids, and how to store and ship fish oil overseas. New to sending boxes home? Start with our complete guide to shipping from the US to Vietnam.

How to read a US fish oil label

"Fish oil" is not the same as "omega-3"

The headline number, such as 1,400 mg or 2,400 mg, usually refers to total fish oil. Omega-3s are only part of it. Nature's Bounty Fish Oil 1400 mg spells it out: its description states that 1,400 mg of fish oil provides 980 mg of omega-3.

Find EPA and DHA

EPA and DHA are the two main omega-3s in fish oil, usually listed separately. Some brands print them on the front: Sports Research Triple Strength describes a once-a-day formula with 690 mg EPA and 310 mg DHA. When comparing products, add up EPA + DHA per serving instead of comparing total fish oil.

Check the serving size

The "Serving Size" line tells you whether the figures are for one softgel or two. If a serving is two softgels, a 300-count bottle lasts half as many days as you might assume. Before comparing Nature Made Fish Oil 2400 mg, 300 Softgels with another bottle, check how many softgels the 2,400 mg refers to. How much to take is a question for the label or your doctor.

Other details worth a glance

  • USP Verified mark: shown on the Nature Made and Nature's Bounty fish oils.
  • Source: Nature Made says its oil comes from wild-caught ocean fish and is purified to remove mercury; Sports Research uses fish oil from Norway and manufactures in the USA.
  • Coating: the Nature's Bounty softgels are coated and odorless to minimize fish burps.

Fish oil vs krill oil vs omega 3-6-9

Classic fish oil offers the widest range of strengths and sizes: big bottles for sharing, high-concentration formulas for fewer softgels a day.

Krill oil comes from tiny crustaceans living in cold southern waters. Sports Research Krill Oil Superba2 1000 mg is described as delivering EPA and DHA bound to phospholipids, with added choline and no fishy aftertaste, in a compact 90-count bottle. Anyone with a shellfish allergy should check with a doctor before choosing krill.

Omega 3-6-9 blends such as Member's Mark Omega 3-6-9 combine esterified tuna oil with cold-pressed flaxseed, safflower, borage, extra virgin olive and evening primrose oils. Omega-6 and omega-9 are already common in everyday cooking oils, so if EPA and DHA are what you are after, compare the actual EPA/DHA figures on the label. Member's Mark is Sam's Club's own brand.

Quick comparison

ProductTypeLabel highlightsCount
Nature Made Fish Oil 2400 mgFish oil softgelEPA & DHA, purified to remove mercury, USP Verified300
Nature's Bounty Fish Oil 1400 mgCoated fish oil softgel1,400 mg fish oil = 980 mg omega-3, odorless, USP Verified130
Sports Research Triple StrengthHigh-concentration fish oil690 mg EPA + 310 mg DHA, once a day, Norwegian fish oil150
Sports Research Krill Oil Superba2Krill oil1,000 mg, phospholipid omega-3s, choline90
Member's Mark Omega 3-6-9Tuna oil + plant oilsSix oils in one softgel300

Prices change over time, so see the current price on each product page in our online store.

Omega-3 and DHA for kids

Adult softgels are large and formulated for adults. For children, look at kid-specific products:

Check the age guidance on each label and ask your pediatrician before giving any supplement to a child. Gummies look like candy, so store them out of reach. For expecting mothers, prenatal products with DHA such as Nature Made Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA should be used as advised by an OB-GYN.

Prefer food? Monda Organic Chia Seeds provide omega-3 in its plant form (ALA), which is different from the EPA and DHA in fish oil.

Quick checklist

  • Compare EPA + DHA per serving, not total fish oil.
  • Check whether a serving is one or two softgels.
  • Dislike the fishy taste? Consider a coated softgel or krill oil.
  • For kids, choose kid-specific products and ask a pediatrician.
  • For gifts, pick a long expiration date and keep the seal intact.

Storing and shipping fish oil to Vietnam

  • Keep bottles sealed in original packaging so your family can read the directions.
  • Avoid heat: follow the storage line on the label. Softgels left in a hot car can stick together, so pack them soon after buying.
  • Pack snugly: bag each bottle in a zip-top bag and fill gaps. Our packing guide has more tips.
  • Mind the weight: a 300-count bottle weighs noticeably more than a 90-count one. Cost depends on weight (lb) and the destination province; estimate it free on our Ship to Vietnam page.

TCS Global flies four times a week, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Estimated delivery is 5–10 days to Ho Chi Minh City and 10–14 days to other provinces, depending on the period and transport conditions. Each package has its own number for our tracking tool. Outside California? Create a shipping label online and send your box to our Westminster warehouse. No time to shop at Costco, Sam's Club or Amazon? Try our US proxy shopping service. Fish oil pairs well with multivitamins for parents over 50 in a Tết 2027 gift box.

Frequently asked questions

Is 2,400 mg fish oil "stronger" than 1,400 mg?

Not necessarily. Those figures are total fish oil, possibly per different serving sizes. Compare EPA + DHA per serving.

How much fish oil should I take?

Follow the directions on the label. If you take medication, have a health condition, are planning surgery or are pregnant, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

Is krill oil better than fish oil?

They differ in source and in the form of omega-3, and neither is right for everyone. Choose based on preference and your doctor's input.

Can I ship fish oil from the US to Vietnam?

Sealed, bottled fish oil softgels can travel with your other gifts. For large quantities or anything you are unsure about, ask TCS first at (714) 379-8787 or on Zalo at (949) 979-6888, and see what can be shipped to Vietnam.

Browse authentic US fish oil, vitamins and supplements in the TCS Global store. Prices are public; create a free account to order. Questions about shipping home? Call (714) 379-8787 or message us on Zalo at (949) 979-6888. We speak Vietnamese and English.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Read the label and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.

TCS Global

TCS Global team

TCS Global ships packages and gifts from our Westminster, California warehouse to Vietnam and sells US products online. Our bilingual team writes these guides from day-to-day customer questions.

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