Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements found in soil, water, and the environment. Trace amounts can enter the food supply through agricultural practices, environmental exposure, processing, and raw material sourcing. Heavy metal testing helps manufacturers evaluate product safety, meet regulatory requirements, and verify supplier quality.
Common heavy metals tested include:
- Lead (Pb) – Can accumulate in crops from soil, water, or environmental contamination.
- Cadmium (Cd) – Commonly found in soil and can be absorbed by grains, leafy vegetables, and root crops.
- Arsenic (As) – May occur naturally in soil and groundwater and is often monitored in rice, grains, and beverages.
- Mercury (Hg) – Most commonly associated with seafood and fish products due to environmental accumulation.
- Chromium (Cr) – Naturally present in the environment and monitored in food products for quality and safety purposes.
- Cobalt (Co) – A naturally occurring element that may be present in trace amounts in foods and dietary supplements.
Benefits of Heavy Metal Testing:
- Verify compliance with regulatory and customer requirements
- Evaluate raw materials and supplier quality
- Identify potential contamination sources
- Support food safety and quality assurance programs
- Protect consumer health and brand reputation
- Monitor product consistency across production lots
Heavy metal testing provides manufacturers with valuable data to help ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of food products before they reach consumers.
Sample Submission Requirements
- Each sample must contain a minimum of 50 grams of product.
- Samples should be shipped to arrive Monday through Friday to ensure proper handling upon receipt.
- If your product is packaged in glass containers, please individually bubble wrap each container and clearly label the shipping box "Contains Glass."
- Refrigerated products must be shipped with sufficient cold packs to maintain the appropriate temperature during transit.
Confidentially with PCAS Labs.
PCAS welcomes and provides NDA’s for all of our customers ensuring that your products ingredients/recipes are never shared with anyone! All of your company information will remain safe, you can count on that.
