SP
Spices
Lead
Lead in turmeric, chilli and other spices.
Heavy metals testing
Heavy metals testing in food, water and supplements
We measure lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and other metals in food, spices, rice, supplements, feed and water by ICP-MS, and report against FSSAI, EU and buyer limits.
Heavy metal testing lab
What is heavy metal testing?
Heavy metal testing is the laboratory measurement of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in a food, water or other sample, compared with the legal limits set to protect health.
Heavy metals enter food from soil, water, processing equipment, packaging and sometimes from illegal colours, as in the case of lead in some turmeric and spice products. They are toxic even at low levels and accumulate in the body.
Accurate Universal Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. measures metals by ICP-MS, which can detect very low concentrations, after controlled digestion of the sample.
Exporting spices, rice or supplements?
Check metals before shipment.
Why heavy metal testing matters
Toxic at very low levels
Lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury can damage health even at trace levels, and many export markets set strict limits. Testing keeps contaminated products off the market.
Testing parameters
Metals we test
These are the metals most often regulated in food, supplements and water.
- ICP-MSanalysis
- ppblevel detection
- FSSAIEU & Codex
| Test | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | Spices (especially turmeric), supplements, water |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Rice, cereals, cocoa, seafood |
| Arsenic (As) | Rice, groundwater, seafood |
| Mercury (Hg) | Fish and seafood |
| Tin (Sn) | Canned foods |
| Chromium and nickel | Processing equipment, oils and water |
| Copper and zinc | Food, feed and water |
Get a quote for heavy metals testing
Tell us the product and metals you need tested.
Products we test
Heavy metal testing by product
Some products carry a higher risk of metal contamination.
RC
Rice and cereals
Arsenic and cadmium
Metals taken up from soil and water.
SU
Supplements
Lead and others
Herbal and protein supplements.
WT
Water
Arsenic and lead
Drinking, borewell and packaged water.
FD
Feed
Lead, cadmium
Animal feed and ingredients.
How it works
From sample to metals report in five steps
- Step 1
Share your requirement
Tell us the product, purpose and market. We recommend the right tests and send a quotation.
- Step 2
Send the sample or book pickup
Courier a sealed sample to our Ahmedabad or Rajkot laboratory, or book a sample pickup.
- Step 3
Laboratory analysis
Samples are digested under controlled conditions and analysed by ICP-MS with quality controls.
- Step 4
Accredited report
Results compared with FSSAI, EU or buyer limits.
- Step 5
Technical support
Our team explains the results and advises on next steps if a value is out of limit.
Industries we serve
Who we test for
We test for exporters, manufacturers and brands that need to control metals.
- Spice exporters
- Rice exporters
- Supplement brands
- Food manufacturers
- Seafood processors
- Feed mills
- Water businesses
- Importers
Not sure which metals to test?
We'll recommend the panel for your product and market.
FAQs
Heavy Metals Testing: common questions
What is heavy metal contamination in food?
It is the presence of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in food, coming from soil, water, processing, packaging or illegal additives. FSSAI and importing countries set limits for them.
How are heavy metals tested in food?
The sample is digested to release the metals and then analysed by ICP-MS, which measures metals at very low concentrations.
Is heavy metal testing necessary for exporters?
Yes for many products and markets, especially spices, rice, seafood and supplements, where limits are strict and border checks are common.
How do I test spices for lead?
Send us a sample and we will measure lead and other metals by ICP-MS and compare the results with the applicable limits.
How much does heavy metal testing cost?
The cost depends on the number of metals and the product. Share your requirement and we will send an itemised quotation.
Is Accurate Universal Laboratories accredited for this testing?
Yes. Our Ahmedabad laboratory is accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (certificate TC-5021) and our Rajkot laboratory under certificate TC-7988. The tests and products covered are listed in our scope of accreditation, and we confirm whether your parameters are within scope before testing.
Still have a question about heavy metals?
Talk to our team about limits, methods or results.
Related services
Tests that often go with heavy metals
Get a quotation
Looking for reliable heavy metals testing?
Tell us the product, metals and destination market. We'll reply with an itemised quotation.
- Call us+91 90330 44571
- WhatsAppChat with our team
- Emailinfo@accurateuniversal.com
- Accredited test report
- Clear guidance on the right tests
- Support from our technical team
Standards and regulatory references
- FSSAI – Contaminants, Toxins and Residues Regulations, 2011
- Regulation (EU) 2023/915 – maximum levels for contaminants
Standards and limits change; we confirm the current requirements for your product and market at the time of testing.