Dietary supplement label-claim, heavy-metal and microbial testing
Under 21 CFR Part 111 a supplement brand must verify identity, purity, strength and composition, and retailers from Amazon to Costco now ask for the certificate. We quantify the declared active against a certified standard, run ICP-MS metals sensitive enough to evaluate both USP <2232> serving-based limits and California Prop 65 daily limits, and count microbial limits in-house.
- From
- $99
- Turnaround
- 5–7 business days
- Certificate
- Public, hashed, video-linked
What the panel measures
| Test | Method | Instrument | Reports as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label claim, declared active | MethodHPLC-UV or LC-MS/MS vs certified reference | InstrumentAgilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC | Reports asmg per serving and % of label |
| Identity | MethodLC-MS/MS or GC-MS | InstrumentAgilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS | Reports asConfirmed / not confirmed |
| Heavy metals | MethodICP-MS, microwave digestion; Pb, As, Cd, Hg plus USP <2232> list | InstrumentAgilent 7850 ICP-MS | Reports asµg/g and µg per serving vs USP <2232> and Prop 65; add-on $169 |
| Microbial limits | MethodUSP <61>/<62> | InstrumentMicrobiology suite | Reports asCFU/g; specified organisms absent/present; add-on $239 |
| Undeclared ingredient screen | MethodLC-MS/MS: stimulants, PDE-5 inhibitors, anabolic agents, sibutramine, phenolphthalein | InstrumentAgilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS | Reports asDetected / not detected; add-on |
| Mycotoxins | MethodLC-MS/MS aflatoxins, ochratoxin A | InstrumentAgilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS | Reports asµg/kg; add-on $99 |
Accepted: Capsules and tablets Powders Gummies Liquids and tinctures Softgels
Compounds: Vitamins A, D, E, K, B-complex Minerals Creatine Caffeine Melatonin Ashwagandha withanolides Curcuminoids Berberine CoQ10 Amino acids
Why the method matters
Reported per serving, against both limit sets
USP <2232> and Prop 65 are written in micrograms per day, not per gram. We calculate per-serving exposure from your labeled serving and report against both, so the certificate answers the retailer’s question directly.
ICP-MS, not ICP-OES or colorimetric
Prop 65 lead at 0.5 µg/day needs sub-ppb sensitivity. The 7850 ICP-MS with helium collision cell reaches it; older colorimetric <231>-style screens and many OES setups do not.
Authentic Agilent bench, OEM consumables
Every instrument was bought new through Agilent, Charles River and MilliporeSigma authorized channels, installed and performance-qualified by certified engineers, and serviced by Quantum Analytics. Columns, lamps, seals, cartridges, canisters and reference standards are OEM or Thermo Fisher lot-traced; no third-party refills, no re-used cartridges, no expired lysate. The instrument ID, column lot and standard lot are printed on every certificate.
The bench this runs on
Agilent 1290 Infinity II UHPLC
Purity and potency by UV; 1300 bar, sub-2 µm columns, chromatogram printed on the certificate.
Agilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS
Identity by accurate mass and MRM transitions; sub-ppt quantitation with isotope dilution.
Agilent 7850 ICP-MS
Elemental impurities and toxic metals to sub-ppb, internal-standardized.
Microbiology suite
USP <61>/<62> counts and specified organisms; USP <51> challenge.
Purchased new through authorized channels, installed and performance-qualified by certified engineers, run on OEM consumables. Instrument IDs are printed on every certificate. See the full bench.
Supplement testing compared
| Gold Standard Analytics | Typical | |
|---|---|---|
| Metals reported per serving vs Prop 65 | Gold Standard AnalyticsYes | TypicalUsually µg/g only |
| Technique | Gold Standard AnalyticsICP-MS, He collision cell | TypicalICP-OES or colorimetric |
| Undeclared ingredient screen | Gold Standard AnalyticsAvailable | TypicalRare |
| Microbial in-house | Gold Standard AnalyticsYes | TypicalOften outsourced |
| Public certificate | Gold Standard AnalyticsYes | TypicalNo |
Named, sourced comparisons with individual laboratories are on the compare page.
Questions about supplements testing
Can I see the video of my sample being opened?
Yes. Every package is opened on camera, each container is photographed, and the footage is linked to your accession. Custody video and photos are kept for three years; the retained sample itself is kept 90 days for guarantee retests.
What happens if my result fails?
It is published like any other result, with the method, instrument and specification shown. You may order a retest of the retained sample; we never re-run to obtain a better number.
Which limits do you report metals against?
Both USP <2232> serving-based limits and California Prop 65 MADL/NSRL values, per your labeled serving.
Can I use this for Amazon?
Amazon’s dietary supplement policy asks for a COA from an ISO 17025-accredited or otherwise qualified lab; we are 17025-aligned, not accredited. Many sellers submit our certificates; confirm with Amazon’s current policy for your category.
What if my active has no reference standard?
We source a certified standard where one exists; otherwise we tell you before testing and quote a method-development path.
How much product?
One sealed retail unit for label claim; a second for metals; a third for microbial.
Method references: USP <232>/<233> and Prop 65 context · FDA and NY DOH turmeric lead findings, 2023
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Submit a sample
An invoice is issued at submission and the prepaid label is emailed when payment lands. Certificates publish in 5–7 business days.