Pesticide Residue Testing for Herbs, Teas & Spices in the UK
Herbs, teas, and spices are among the most vulnerable products when it comes to pesticide contamination—and the most challenging to test due to their complex, low-moisture matrices. At our UK laboratory, we use ultra-sensitive testing methods designed specifically to handle the unique challenges of dried, aromatic plant materials.
Whether you’re importing, exporting, blending, or packing for retail, we help you maintain full regulatory compliance, meet UK & EU Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and protect your brand.
Why Testing These Products Is Essential
Herbs, teas, and spices often originate from countries with varying pesticide regulations. Without thorough testing, there's a significant risk of:
- Exceeding legal residue limits (MRLs) in the UK or EU
- Batch rejections at the border or by retailers
- Undetected contamination in complex spice blends or herbal infusions
- Reputation damage and supply chain disruptions
Our testing service helps mitigate these risks with precise, accredited analysis.
What We Test
We apply multi-residue screening methods optimised for high-aroma, low-water-content products. Our tests cover:
- Over 400 pesticide compounds, including persistent and banned substances
- Herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides commonly used in global herb and spice cultivation
- Challenging matrices such as oils, powders, and dried leaf blends
Advanced technologies such as LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS ensure exceptional sensitivity and accuracy.
What We Cover
We offer targeted pesticide testing for:
- Teas: Green, black, oolong, and herbal infusions
- Herbs: Culinary and medicinal herbs such as basil, mint, chamomile, thyme, rosemary, sage
- Spices: Turmeric, black pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika, chilli, cinnamon, cardamom, and blends
Each sample is carefully prepared and tested to detect even trace levels of residues that may remain after drying or processing.
Our Advantages
- Highly sensitive methods designed for low-moisture, high-aroma matrices
- Fast turnaround times
- Custom reports for retailers, import/export documentation, and private label compliance
Who We Work With
Our services support a wide range of clients, including:
- Tea blenders and packers
- Herb growers and extract manufacturers
- Retailers and wholesalers
- Exporters supplying the EU, US, and global markets
- Food safety and QA consultants
Ensure Safety & Market Access
Don’t let non-compliance with pesticide limits put your products or brand at risk. We provide specialised pesticide residue testing for herbs, teas, and spices to help you meet legal and commercial standards across the UK and EU. Get in touch with us using our contact form for more information.