Heavy metals are elements that occur in the environment. When we talk about heavy metals in foods and dietary supplements, we’re usually referring to lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. These elements have been part of the Earth’s crust and have been present in rocks, soil, and water for billions of years.

Minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium are mined or extracted from the earth. Heavy metal elements such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury co-associate with minerals in the Earth’s soil and rock formations. When these minerals are processed for supplements, trace amounts of heavy metals can remain because they are chemically similar and hard to separate completely.

Additionally, as plants grow they naturally absorb minerals—including trace amounts of heavy metals—from the soil and water. This is true for home gardens, organic farms, and conventional agriculture alike.
MegaFood uses food ingredients—fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains—because we believe in the power of real food. Since these crops grow in soil, they naturally absorb nutrients and trace metals.

The presence of these metals does not mean the ingredient is unsafe. Rather, it reflects the composition of soil-based ingredients. The key is ensuring these levels remain low and within scientifically established safety limits, which is why testing is essential

The Earth’s heavy metal elements:

• Come from the soil, water, and bedrock where plants grow
• Are present in nearly all foods, including organic produce
• Occur at low levels and can be monitored for safety

Heavy metal contamination:

• Can be caused by industrial runoff, poor manufacturing practices, or contaminated equipment
• Is not acceptable in MegaFood products—our strict supplier qualifications and testing are designed to prevent this

MegaFood’s rigorous testing and sourcing standards are designed to help ensure that what appears in our products reflects trace levels and is safe for consumption.

Yes. Every ingredient we use goes through testing—including checks for lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic—before it is used in a product. We only work with trusted suppliers who meet strict U.S. regulatory requirements and our own Clean, Credible, Conscious standards.

We partner with vetted suppliers in the U.S. and around the world, including countries like China, Spain, and Germany. Regardless of origin, each supplier must meet stringent U.S. regulatory expectations and MegaFood’s internal quality standards.
Before any ingredient is accepted, it undergoes identity verification, purity testing, and heavy metal screening. Only ingredients that meet our strict criteria move forward into manufacturing.

MegaFood supplements may contain trace levels of lead due to the food-based ingredients grown in soil. These levels fall well below limits defined by reputable scientific and regulatory bodies, including CA’s strict Prop 65.

Average MegaFood lead level per daily serving: < 0.5 micrograms (mcg)

Reference limits for comparison:

• FDA: 12.5 mcg/day for adults; 3.0 mcg/day for children
• Health Canada: 10 mcg/day
• NSF/ANSI Standard: 10 mcg/day
• USP (United States Pharmacopeia): 5 mcg/day
  
  

Because we:

• Test every ingredient for heavy metals and purity
• Validate every supplier according to strict quality requirements
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Uphold our Clean, Credible, Conscious standards
• Formulate with care using thoughtfully sourced ingredients that are tested again in the finished product

Your health and well-being are our top priority, and our commitment to rigorous testing ensures you can feel confident about what you're taking every day.