3 Contaminant Classes
Pesticides · Metals · Mycotoxins
ppb-Level
Detection sensitivity
ICP-MS + LC-MS/MS
Gold-standard instrumentation
FDA & Retailer-Ready
Accredited CoA format

What We Test For

We offer targeted and comprehensive panels across the three main contaminant categories for food and supplement products. Panels can be combined into a single submission.

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Pesticide Residues

Multi-residue screen covering organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, chlorinated compounds, and fungicides

Glyphosate
Chlorpyrifos
Permethrin
Malathion
Thiamethoxam
Imidacloprid
Bifenthrin
Azoxystrobin
Carbendazim
Spinosad
Myclobutanil
Piperonyl Butoxide
+200 analytes
Methods: QuEChERS LC-MS/MS (organics), ELISA screening (glyphosate).
Regulatory reference: FDA PAM, EPA 8270, California Prop 65.
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Heavy Metals

Four required elemental impurities (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) plus extended panel including additional elements of concern

Arsenic (As)
Cadmium (Cd)
Mercury (Hg)
Lead (Pb)
Chromium (Cr)
Nickel (Ni)
Copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn)
Iron (Fe)
Selenium (Se)
Barium (Ba)
Antimony (Sb)
Full USP <232> panel
Methods: ICP-MS (USP <232>/<233>, EPA 6020).
Regulatory reference: USP <232>, FDA Guidance, EFSA limits, California Prop 65.
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Mycotoxins

Fungal secondary metabolites produced in grains, nuts, botanicals, and fermented products at trace levels

Aflatoxin B1
Aflatoxin B2
Aflatoxin G1
Aflatoxin G2
Total Aflatoxins
Ochratoxin A
Fumonisins (B1+B2)
Deoxynivalenol (DON)
Zearalenone
T-2 Toxin
HT-2 Toxin
Patulin
Methods: LC-MS/MS, immunoaffinity column cleanup.
Regulatory reference: FDA action levels, EU Reg. 1881/2006, USP <561>.

The "Big Four" Elemental Impurities

FDA and USP require dietary supplement and pharmaceutical manufacturers to demonstrate control of the four primary toxic elements. Our ICP-MS method detects all four at parts-per-billion sensitivity.

As
Arsenic
USP oral limit: 15 µg/day PDE
Cal Prop 65: 10 µg/day (inorganic)
Cd
Cadmium
USP oral limit: 5 µg/day PDE
FDA dietary guidance: 0.5 µg/day
Hg
Mercury
USP oral limit: 30 µg/day PDE
Methylmercury monitored separately
Pb
Lead
USP oral limit: 5 µg/day PDE
Cal Prop 65: 0.5 µg/day

PDE = Permitted Daily Exposure per USP <232> (2nd Supplement). California Proposition 65 warning thresholds differ. We report results in µg/g (ppm) and calculate PDE based on your provided serving size.

Who Needs Food Safety Testing?

Any food product, supplement ingredient, or finished formula sold or imported in the US must be free from unsafe levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and mycotoxins. Testing at the ingredient and finished product stage is standard practice.

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Dietary Supplements

Finished supplement brands need full-panel CoAs for retailer compliance (Amazon, GNC, Whole Foods). Our accredited report satisfies most incoming CoA requirements without further back-up testing.

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Botanical & Herbal Ingredients

Plant-based ingredients — roots, powders, extracts — frequently carry pesticide and mycotoxin residues from agricultural processing. Identity-confirmed botanicals still require contaminant screening before use.

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Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals

Protein powders, grain products, fortified foods, and novel ingredients require testing as part of label accuracy and safety documentation for FDA 21 CFR 101 claims.

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Fermentation Products

Fermentation-derived ingredients — amino acids, enzymes, probiotics, and peptide APIs — may carry mycotoxin or metal contamination from fermentation media. Post-purification testing validates batch safety.

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Cannabis & Hemp

Hemp-derived CBD and botanical products destined for food-adjacent markets must comply with state-level pesticide and heavy metal limits. We test to California Prop 65 and USDA hemp certification requirements.

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Contract Manufacturers & Co-Packers

Supplement co-manufacturers and toll processors need to provide third-party testing CoAs with each production lot. Our turnaround and report format are designed to fit batch release workflows.

Standards We Test Against

Our food safety panels are designed to satisfy the primary US and international regulatory requirements for supplement and food product safety.

FDA 21 CFR 111 — Supplement cGMPs

Dietary supplement manufacturers must establish and verify product specifications including safety limits for contaminants. Third-party testing CoAs satisfy the documentation requirements of 21 CFR 111.75(h).

USP <232> / <233> — Elemental Impurities

USP chapters defining PDE limits and ICP-MS testing procedures for 24 elemental impurities. Our method implements USP <233> Procedure 3 (digestion + ICP-MS) for all heavy metals reporting.

FDA Pesticide Guidance (FDARA 2017)

FDA tolerance levels for pesticide residues in food are set under FIFRA. Multi-residue LC-MS/MS screening methods allow detection below FDA tolerance thresholds for the major commodity types.

California Proposition 65

California requires warning labels for products sold in CA that expose consumers to listed chemicals above MADL/NSRL thresholds — including arsenic, cadmium, and lead at levels below federal limits. Our reports flag Prop 65 status separately.

EU Regulation 1881/2006 & 2023/915

European maximum levels for contaminants in food, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, heavy metals, and pesticide limits under Regulation 396/2005. Required for products exported to EU markets.

Major Retailer & Amazon Requirements

Amazon, Whole Foods, GNC, Costco, and other major retailers require third-party laboratory CoAs for dietary supplements. Our accredited reports are designed to meet standard retailer incoming CoA requirements.

Report Package

Every food safety test order includes a complete documentation package designed for regulatory submissions, retailer compliance, and batch records.

How to Submit a Sample

Submitting a food safety sample is straightforward. Most projects ship same day after contact. Results in 5–10 business days from receipt.

1

Tell Us Your Matrix

Contact us with the sample type (powder, liquid, botanical), the contaminants of concern, and your target regulatory standard (FDA, Prop 65, EU). We'll confirm panel scope and sample requirements in one business day.

2

Ship Your Sample

Most panels require 1–5 grams of finished product. We provide a sample submission form with lot/batch entry fields. Ship ambient or refrigerated depending on matrix stability — we'll advise.

3

Receive Your Accredited CoA

A signed CoA is delivered via email within the agreed turnaround. Rush service (2–3 business days) is available for time-sensitive lot releases or retailer deadlines.

Request a Quote →

Ready to Test Your Product?

Send us your samples and receive an ISO 17025 accredited Certificate of Analysis. Results in 5–10 business days.