The Story Behind Mermaids' Cod
It all started when Kari was put on sick leave after many years of intense activity and commitment. She worked full-time at a folk high school, conducted two choirs, sang in a third, participated in revues, took care of an elderly mother, and much more. Gradually, she began to suffer from chronic headaches, muscle and joint pain, gradual deformation of finger joints, and constant fatigue. The doctor prescribed antidepressants, but for a month she felt nauseous and even more tired. Sitting in a chair every day with a headache and feeling unwell was not an option, so this was the start of a new chapter in her life. Masking symptoms with medication was not a long-term solution. A regimen of high doses of vitamins, minerals, Omega-3 capsules, and a daily half-hour of walking was necessary to rebuild her health. Gradually, her health, mood, and energy returned.
During this time, she also learned a lot about the importance of proper nutrition. Svanhild studied to become a nutritional therapist in Denmark and organized a series of courses over a whole winter in Inderøy together with her teachers. Kari, who is an art teacher, had long been aware of the importance of good nutrition. Both Karis attended the course and became convinced that “food is your medicine.”
When fisheries graduate Frank became part of the family, everything fell into place. He was an expert in producing fish oil from the liver of fresh wild cod and was the quality manager for the flavor team for this fresh cooking oil (FF oil). Frank was aware that fish oils, like fish, have a limited shelf life, and that rancid and oxidized oil can be harmful to health. Svanhild wrote her master's thesis on the oxidation of fish oils with Frank as her supervisor. Psychologist Kjerstin had by then had five children in six years, and both she and Frank knew that their twins, who were born prematurely, needed Omega-3 for normal brain development. It became crucial for us to start our own company and produce our own high-quality cod liver oil as an answer to the poor quality of Omega-3 supplements available on the market.
We had tested 20 different products available in Norway by cutting open the capsules, and every single one was rancid.
Our shared values were to help people prevent health problems rather than just treat them, and to put quality first in everything we do.
In 2008 we sold our first bottle of Mermaid's Cod Liver Oil, and since then our sales have increased by 15-20% every year. We have worked purely out of idealism, without spending money on expensive cars or salaries, but rather worked on a volunteer basis, and until 2018 we reinvested all profits back into the company. We have spent minimally on advertising, and almost all growth has been through word of mouth.
Time has been on our side; people today are more concerned with high-quality, traceable and environmentally friendly food.
Now, in 2023, we are five “mermaids” and one “seahorse” with a lot of life experience: CEO Kari Øye (81), Kari Mæle Løge (79), Svanhild Snipstad (71), Kjerstin Øye (51), Ane Hansen-Øye (23) and Frank Hansen (69).
