Supplement + Food Laboratory Testing FAQ

We run third-party analytical testing for dietary supplements, food products, cosmetic and personal care products, and cleaning products. Our capabilities span vitamins, pesticides, heavy metals, minerals, active ingredient testing, identity testing, microbiology, allergens, and preservative efficacy testing, among others.

Our Capabilities

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is an official laboratory document that summarizes the testing performed on a sample and the final results. A COA typically includes:

• Sample identification
• Test methods used
• Specifications or acceptance criteria
• Final results
• Approval signatures

Manufacturers use COAs for quality assurance, regulatory documentation, supplier verification, and customer records.

ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for laboratory competence. Accreditation shows that a lab works with validated methods, calibrated equipment, trained personnel, and documented quality systems to produce reliable, defensible data.

Third-party testing gives you independent verification of product quality, safety, and label accuracy. It helps you:

• Support regulatory documentation
• Verify ingredient identity and potency
• Detect contaminants
• Protect brand reputation
• Build customer trust

Turnaround time is how long testing takes from sample receipt to final results. We are known for fast turnaround, with most standard analyses completed in as little as 5 business days.

Qualitative testing answers “is it present?” Quantitative testing answers “how much is present?” For example, Salmonella testing is typically qualitative (absent or present), while Vitamin C potency testing is quantitative (mg/g or mg/serving).

Matrix interference happens when ingredients in a product affect how a test method performs. Complex products such as botanicals, proteins, oils, or highly pigmented materials can interfere with analytical detection or microbial recovery.

Specifications define the expected acceptance criteria for a product. They help ensure:

• Appropriate method selection
• Proper sample preparation
• Accurate calibration ranges
• Correct result interpretation

Potency testing, for example, often needs target concentrations so the sample fits properly within the calibration curve.

An out-of-specification (OOS) result falls outside the established acceptance criteria or product specification. We take OOS results seriously, with most receiving an automatic re-run during the 5 business day turnaround at no extra cost.

Stability testing shows how a product performs over time under different environmental conditions, and it supports shelf-life claims. Stability programs are highly individualized, and our team can walk you through the options.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring metallic elements that can contaminate raw materials or finished products. The four most commonly tested are:

• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Lead
• Mercury

Heavy metals can enter products through soil, water, or raw material sourcing. Testing helps you address safety standards and regulations such as California Proposition 65.

ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) is a highly sensitive analytical technique we use for heavy metals testing.

ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) is used for mineral and elemental analysis where higher concentration ranges are expected.

Pesticide residues are trace amounts of agricultural chemicals that can remain on botanical ingredients or plant-derived materials after harvesting and processing.

Botanical ingredients are higher-risk matrices for pesticide contamination because of their agricultural growing conditions and global sourcing.

Contaminants arise from multiple sources, so pesticide analysis is typically tested in conjunction with heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbiological testing. Together, these analyses build a comprehensive contaminant profile that supports risk assessment, supplier qualification, and industry expectations.

HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) is an analytical technique used to separate and quantify compounds such as vitamins, caffeine, amino acids, and active ingredients.

Specifications help us choose the correct dilution so the active concentration lands within the validated measurement range of the method. We can still test without them, though that may mean a longer turnaround and a higher price.

No. Vitamins exist in multiple chemical forms that behave differently across product matrices, so a single method cannot measure them all accurately. Reliable vitamin testing uses vitamin-specific, matrix-appropriate methods for defensible results.

Yes. All water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins are on our ISO scope.

If your vitamin form is not listed, you can request it. We are constantly validating new methods and expanding our capabilities.

Required sample size depends on the test requested and the product matrix. Our minimum and optimal sample amounts are listed on the price list for easy reference.

Learn More

Seal samples securely, label them clearly, and package them to prevent leakage, contamination, or damage in transit. Microbiology samples should ship in a sterile container. Environmental swabs and plates should ship next-day priority with cold packs.

Rush testing may be available depending on lab capacity and the requested analysis. Contact our team to discuss expedited options.

Yes. We can’t process your sample without a completed sample submission form. To ensure timely results, pack the form in the same box as your samples. If you forget, no worries—you can email us a copy.