HM Commodities

Heavy Metals Testing for Herbs and Spices

Minerva Scientific - A Tentamus Company provides UKAS-accredited heavy metals testing for herbs and spices, accredited under Flexible Scope to ISO/IEC 17025. Our food testing laboratory delivers precise, traceable, and compliant results using advanced ICP-MS technology — ensuring your products meet UK, EU, and international food safety standards.

We support spice blenders, herb processors, ingredient suppliers, importers, and retailers across the UK with rapid, accredited analytical testing.

Our Heavy Metals Testing Service

Our laboratory offers a full suite of heavy metals analysis for herb and spice matrices, including detection and quantification of:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Arsenic (As)

All results are reported in accordance with ISO 17025-accredited methods and regulatory limits for food contaminants.

Flexible UKAS Accreditation Scope

Under our Flexible UKAS Scope, we can:

  • Apply and validate new analytical methods quickly
  • Maintain accredited status for diverse matrices
  • Provide fast, accurate results for emerging food standards
  • Adapt to new regulations without delay

UKAS Accreditation Number: 2504

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Sample Types We Test

Our heavy metals testing covers a wide range of herb and spice products, including:

  • Ground and whole spices (e.g. pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, chilli, paprika)
  • Culinary herbs (e.g. basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, sage)
  • Spice blends and seasoning mixes
  • Dried herb and spice extracts
  • Powdered or dehydrated plant materials

Testing is performed using high-sensitivity techniques - ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) for trace-level metals.

Every analysis follows strict quality assurance, traceability, and chain-of-custody procedures for dependable results.

Why Choose Tentamus

  • UKAS-accredited under Flexible Scope (ISO 17025)
  • Fast, reliable turnaround times with express testing available
  • Comprehensive, audit-ready reporting
  • Experienced analytical chemists specialising in food contaminants
  • Trusted by UK food producers, importers, and quality control teams
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Contact Us

Have a question or want to request a quote for heavy metals testing?
Simply fill out the contact form, and one of our team members will get back to you in no time.

We’re here to help with sample submissions, testing enquiries, or technical advice — so don’t hesitate to reach out!