We sell extracts, but what you're really buying is the evidence behind them.
A botanical supplier is only as good as its weakest lot. This page sets out how we qualify producers, what we test and what we will never do.
Independent testing on every lot
The producer's COA is where we start. Before a lot is released for export, a sample goes to an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory for the panel shown here.
You receive the reports with the shipping documents. We keep a retained sample of every lot for its full shelf life.
- Assay / marker compoundChecked against the grade specificationHPLC · UV · Titration
- Heavy metalsLead, arsenic, cadmium, mercuryICP-MS
- Pesticide residuesMulti-residue screen to EU and USP limitsGC-MS/MS · LC-MS/MS
- Ethylene oxide & 2-chloroethanolRequired for the EU marketGC-MS/MS
- MicrobiologyTPC, yeast & mold, E. coli, Salmonella, S. aureusUSP ‹2021› ‹2022›
- Residual solventsClass 1–3 solventsICH Q3C · GC-HS
- PAH4 & mycotoxinsWhere relevant to the botanicalGC-MS · LC-MS/MS
Default limits for dry extracts
These are our standard limits. Heavy-metal and PAH limits match EU maximum levels for food supplements (Reg. (EU) 2023/915). We agree final limits per product and destination market, and tighter limits are available.
| Parameter | Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Loss on drying | ≤ 5.0% | USP ‹731› |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 3.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.10 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Total plate count | ≤ 10,000 cfu/g | USP ‹2021› |
| Yeast & mold | ≤ 1,000 cfu/g | USP ‹2021› |
| E. coli · S. aureus | Absent in 10 g | USP ‹2022› |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | USP ‹2022› |
| Pesticide residues | Reg. (EC) No 396/2005 · USP ‹561› | GC-MS/MS · LC-MS/MS |
| Ethylene oxide (sum incl. 2-chloroethanol) | Below EU MRL | GC-MS/MS |
| PAH4 · benzo[a]pyrene (where relevant) | ≤ 50 µg/kg · ≤ 10 µg/kg | GC-MS |
| Residual solvents | ICH Q3C | GC-HS |
How a producer joins our network
Document review
We check GMP, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000, FSSAI and any organic, kosher or halal certificates, including their scope and validity.
Site assessment
We assess raw-material traceability, extraction and drying controls, the in-house QC lab, and cleaning and segregation.
Lot validation
Initial production lots are tested independently before a grade is listed, for both the assay and lot-to-lot consistency.
Ongoing monitoring
Every lot is tested. A producer with an out-of-specification result is suspended until the root cause has been fixed.
What we will never do
- Sell synthetic as naturalSynthetic caffeine is sold only as synthetic. Natural origin can be proven by ¹⁴C testing.
- Swap test methodsA 5% HPLC grade is never replaced with a 5% gravimetric one. The method is stated on every COA.
- Hide carriersMaltodextrin, silica and other excipients are declared. Carrier-free grades are available.
- Recycle certificatesEvery COA matches a physical lot number and that lot's own test data.
- Spike or adulterateNo added marker compounds, dyes or substitute species. HPTLC identity testing is available on request.
Available for every grade
Send us your supplier questionnaire and we'll complete it, usually within three business days.
- Certificate of Analysis (per lot)
- Technical data sheet / specification
- Safety data sheet (SDS)
- Heavy-metal & pesticide reports
- EtO / 2-CE report (EU)
- Allergen & non-GMO statements
- BSE/TSE & irradiation statements
- Residual-solvent statement
- Certificate of origin
- Organic / Kosher / Halal certificates*
* Where the producing facility is certified for that grade.
Put us through your supplier qualification.
Send us your specification and questionnaire. You'll get a quote within 24 hours and lot-matched samples within 5 working days.