Lead Levels in Nutraceuticals: Spice and Cannabis Nutraceutical Hemp Products

The consumption of botanical products has increased over the past two decades as consumers trend to what are perceived to be natural and high quality botanical products. The cannabis industry has taken the world by storm and has flooded market with new products.

Recently, concerns have arisen around the safety of this largely unregulated market. Cannabis testing laboratories emerged to fill the need for specialized testing for cannabinoid potency, pesticides, bacteria/ mould, and other potential contaminants.

Toxic heavy metals are too often found in many common food and health products as well as in our environment. Products which often originate from other countries around the world can be targets for higher contamination, adulteration and counterfeiting with or by heavy metals. The primary regions of spice and tea production around the world have often been cited as having less stringent safety and quality standards in regards to consumer products. Products from these regions have been noted to contain a variety of adulterants and contaminants including wear metals and toxic elements.