08 Jul Why Heavy Metal Testing Matters for Food, Supplements, and Pet Products
Don’t Skip This Step: Why Heavy Metal Testing Matters for Food, Supplements, and Pet Products
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium don’t belong in your food — or your customer’s body. Yet they can show up unexpectedly in everything from protein powders and juices to pet food and herbal supplements.
If you’re selling a consumable product, heavy metal testing isn’t optional — it’s essential for compliance, consumer trust, and product safety.
What Are Heavy Metals and Why Are They a Concern?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements found in soil, water, and air. They can enter the food chain through:
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Contaminated soil where crops are grown
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Fish and animal feed
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Certain processing equipment or packaging
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Environmental pollution
Over time, these metals can accumulate in the body and contribute to serious health conditions like neurological damage, developmental delays in children, kidney problems, or even cancer.
Products Most at Risk for Heavy Metal Contamination:
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Plant-based protein powders (pea, rice, hemp)
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Fruit juices and root vegetables
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Seafood
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Herbal supplements and tinctures
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CBD and kratom products
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Pet food and animal treats
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Baby food
Regulatory Limits for Heavy Metals
Different agencies set different limits depending on the product:
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FDA: Action levels for lead in juice, arsenic in rice, and heavy metals in baby food
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USP/NSF: Heavy metal limits for dietary supplements
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AAFCO: Guidelines for metals in pet food
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Health Canada and California Prop 65: Strict limits for consumer exposure
If you’re shipping across borders or selling on platforms like Amazon or Walmart, you may be required to meet the most stringent of all applicable limits.
What Heavy Metal Testing Measures
Heavy metal testing typically screens for:
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Lead (Pb)
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Arsenic (As)
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Cadmium (Cd)
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Mercury (Hg)
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Some labs also include Nickel, Chromium, and Copper depending on the product and purpose.
Testing is done via ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), which provides high accuracy and detection at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels.
How Often Should You Test?
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New products: Before launch
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Ingredient change: Every time you change a supplier or source
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Ongoing monitoring: At least once per production batch or quarterly, depending on your risk level and certifications
Need Heavy Metal Testing?
At United Food Labs, we provide heavy metal testing for:
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Functional foods and beverages
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Pet food and treats
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Dietary supplements and powders
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Botanicals, CBD, and kratom products
Our testing supports FDA compliance, Prop 65, Health Canada standards, and AAFCO pet product guidelines.
📞 818-749-2751 | 📧 info@unitedfoodlabs.com
🌐 unitedfoodlabs.com
Don’t leave your product’s safety to chance. Heavy metal testing is a small investment that protects your brand — and your customers.