Heavy Metals Testing
Accurate analysis of a wide range of heavy metals — including the key four: mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead — across all food categories to ensure safety, quality, and compliance.
Heavy Metals Testing in Food – Reliable, Fast, and Fully In-House
Tentamus QTS Analytical and Minerva Scientific - A Tentamus Company work closely to meet our customers’ needs. We now offer heavy metals testing accredited under our flexible scope, providing accurate, fast, and reliable analysis for the four key metals — mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead — across a wide range of food products.
Using advanced analytical techniques such as ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), we deliver highly sensitive, precise, and reliable results across a wide variety of food types and ingredients.
Our laboratories provide heavy metals testing to help food manufacturers, importers, and retailers ensure their products meet national and international safety standards.
Why Test for Heavy Metals in Food?
Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead can enter the food chain through soil, water, or processing contamination. Even at trace levels, they pose potential health risks.
Routine monitoring helps businesses:
- Ensure compliance with global food safety regulations (UK, EU, and international)
- Meet retailer and export requirements
- Protect brand reputation and consumer trust
- Maintain consistent quality and traceability
Heavy Metals We Analyse
Our laboratory offers comprehensive analysis for multiple heavy metals across food and agricultural products, with particular focus on the four key elements of concern:
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Arsenic (As)
- Lead (Pb)
Each analysis is performed using validated methods and strict quality controls, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.
Food Categories and Commodities We Test
We support a wide range of food sectors — from raw ingredients to finished products.
Leafy greens, root vegetables, and fruits can absorb heavy metals from soil, fertilisers, and irrigation water. Routine analysis ensures compliance with maximum residue levels (MRLs) and protects consumer health.
Crops such as rice, oats, barley, and wheat can accumulate heavy metals from soil or irrigation water. Testing ensures compliance with safety limits and prevents contamination risks throughout the supply chain.
Due to their concentrated form, herbs and spices are particularly prone to heavy metal accumulation from soil, air, or processing. Testing for lead, cadmium, and arsenic ensures purity and compliance for both local and export markets.
Commonly tested materials include turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, and mixed spice blends.
Tea leaves and herbal infusions can absorb metals such as arsenic or lead during growth. Heavy metals testing helps verify safety, authenticity, and quality, while supporting compliance with EU and global food safety standards.
Analysis covers black, green, herbal, and fruit teas.
Nuts and seeds may accumulate heavy metals such as cadmium and lead from soil and growing conditions. Testing helps confirm that products meet food safety limits and supports export certification for items like almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and chia.
Dried fruits can concentrate metals during dehydration, making testing essential for compliance and quality assurance. Commonly tested products include raisins, apricots, dates, figs, and cranberries.
Partner with a Trusted Food Testing Laboratory
Our laboratory is part of a global Tentamus network of analytical experts supporting the food industry with reliable, science-driven testing solutions.
We’re here to help with all your food testing and analysis requirements.
Whether you need routine monitoring, urgent testing, or a tailored analytical solution, our specialists are available to provide expert guidance and fast support.
Request a Quote or Consultation
Looking for pricing or tailored testing support?
Submit your enquiry via our contact form and our team will respond promptly with a custom quotation and project guidance.
Your trusted partner for accurate, timely, and compliant food safety testing.