Holland & Barrett Ends Sales of Krill Products to Protect Antarctic Ecosystems

Bahar O.

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The retailer is the first major international chain to completely withdraw from the krill products market — choosing to leave this vital resource to the ocean’s own food chain of whales, penguins, and seals, rather than using it to produce omega-3 supplements for humans.

Holland & Barrett, the global health and wellness retailer with over 1,000 stores across 19 countries, has announced it will cease sourcing and selling all krill-based products from its range by April 2026. The move aligns with the company’s sustainability goals and its commitment to protecting fragile marine ecosystems.

The retailer becomes the first major international chain to fully withdraw from the krill products category. In its statement, Holland & Barrett confirmed it has notified all suppliers of the planned phase-out, marking a significant shift in the supplement industry.

The decision follows extensive dialogue with Sea Shepherd Global, the marine conservation organization known for its campaigns to defend ocean wildlife. Sea Shepherd presented photographic evidence showing industrial super trawlers operating among foraging whale pods in a proposed marine protected area, raising alarms about the impact of the expanding krill fishery on the Antarctic ecosystem.

Krill products come from tiny shrimp-like creatures that live mostly in the cold waters around Antarctica. Krill oil is popular in health supplements because it’s rich in omega-3, and krill is also used in fish and pet food. But krill are a vital food source for whales, penguins, and seals, so catching too many can upset the balance of the Antarctic ecosystem.

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