What Are the Purpose, Procedure and Results of Sea Moss Heavy Metal Testing?
Heavy metal testing measures elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in sea moss. The results help producers assess the raw ingredient, monitor suppliers and give customers clear information about what the product contains.
Mighton’s Organic has its current dried raw sea moss independently tested. Testing takes place several times a year because results can vary between harvests and supplies.
Why Is Sea Moss Tested for Heavy Metals?
Sea moss grows in seawater and naturally absorbs minerals and trace elements from its surroundings. This process can also lead to the absorption of unwanted elements.
The amount present can vary according to:
- The sea moss species
- The waters in which it grew
- Local pollution
- Harvesting conditions
- Drying and processing
- Differences between batches
Testing provides measured results for a specific sample. It gives customers more useful information than a general claim that a product is pure or high quality.
The US Food and Drug Administration explains that arsenic and other environmental contaminants can enter food through the environment. Assessing any result requires consideration of the measured concentration, the type of contaminant and the amount of food normally consumed. Read the FDA guidance on arsenic in food.
Which Heavy Metals Did Mighton’s Test?
Mighton’s tested its dried raw sea moss for:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Total arsenic
These elements are often included in food and supplement testing because repeated exposure to excessive amounts may affect health.
Arsenic requires some extra explanation because it occurs in different chemical forms. A total arsenic result includes both organic and inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is the form of greater concern in food safety assessments.
What Was the Testing Procedure?
Mighton’s supplied a sample of dried raw sea moss for independent laboratory analysis through MS Labs. The heavy metal analysis was completed by a specialist chemical testing laboratory.
MS Labs states that its microbiological and chemical laboratories have held UKAS accreditation since 1996. Its accreditation schedule covers a wide range of microbiological and chemical analyses.
The laboratory tested the sea moss before it was soaked and blended into gel. The figures therefore represent the concentrated dried ingredient.
The report gives the concentration of each tested element in milligrams per kilogram, written as mg/kg. A result of 1 mg/kg means that one milligram of the element was measured in one kilogram of the tested ingredient.
The report does not identify the sample preparation method, testing equipment or detection limits. These details should only be stated if the laboratory supplies them. Laboratories commonly prepare food samples for analysis by breaking down the material with acid before using specialist instruments to measure individual elements, but the exact method used for Mighton’s sample has not been confirmed.
Mighton’s Heavy Metal Test Results
The following results apply to the current supply of dried raw sea moss.
| Tested element | Result in dried sea moss | Approximate amount per 300 ml jar |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0.07 mg/kg | 0.0016 mg |
| Mercury | 0.01 mg/kg | 0.00023 mg |
| Cadmium | 0.72 mg/kg | 0.0162 mg |
| Total arsenic | 5.78 mg/kg | 0.130 mg |
The amounts per jar are calculations based on the current Mighton’s recipe. They are not direct laboratory measurements of the finished gel.
Understanding the Lead Result
The dried sea moss contained 0.07 mg/kg of lead.
The European Commission hosted EU4Algae guidance refers to a recommendation of 5 mg/kg on a dry weight basis for lead in algae used as food. The Mighton’s result is substantially below this reference value.
A 300 ml jar contains the equivalent of approximately 22.5 grams of dried sea moss. This gives an estimated 0.0016 mg of lead per jar.
Understanding the Mercury Result
The dried sea moss contained 0.01 mg/kg of mercury.
The EU4Algae document refers to a recommendation of 0.1 mg/kg on a dry weight basis for mercury in algae used as food. The Mighton’s result is below this reference value.
The estimated amount in a 300 ml jar is 0.00023 mg.
Understanding the Cadmium Result
The dried sea moss contained 0.72 mg/kg of cadmium.
The Food Standards Agency states that the UK maximum cadmium level for food supplements is 1 mg/kg. The Mighton’s dried sea moss result is below this figure. Read the Food Standards Agency retail surveillance report.
European guidance has also referenced a 3 mg/kg level for supplements consisting mainly of dried seaweed. The lower UK food supplement figure provides a more cautious point of comparison for customers.
The estimated amount of cadmium in a 300 ml jar is 0.0162 mg.
Understanding the Total Arsenic Result
The total arsenic result was 5.78 mg/kg in the dried raw sea moss.
This result cannot be compared directly with a reference value for inorganic arsenic. Total arsenic combines the organic and inorganic forms, while the European algae guidance refers to 3 mg/kg for inorganic arsenic.
The inorganic portion cannot exceed the total result. Its exact amount is unknown because the test measured total arsenic rather than separating the different arsenic compounds.
The EU4Algae report explains that seaweed can contain both organic arsenic compounds and inorganic arsenic. It also records large differences in total arsenic between seaweed species.
There is currently no UK maximum arsenic level specifically set for food supplements. For this reason, Mighton’s does not describe the result as being below a UK legal limit.
How Does Making Sea Moss Gel Affect the Figures?
Mighton’s currently uses approximately 150 grams of dried sea moss to produce about two litres of finished gel.
A 300 ml jar therefore contains the equivalent of roughly 22.5 grams of dried sea moss. Based on this ratio, the estimated total arsenic concentration in the finished gel is approximately 0.43 mg/kg.
Each 300 ml jar contains an estimated 0.130 mg of total arsenic. The inorganic portion forms an unknown part of that amount.
Adding water reduces the concentration per kilogram because the dried sea moss becomes part of a larger volume of finished gel. It does not remove a known amount of each element. Direct testing of the finished gel would be required to provide measured finished product results.
Why Does Mighton’s Test Several Times a Year?
A single result describes the sample submitted to the laboratory. Sea moss is a natural ingredient, so later supplies may produce different figures.
Mighton’s tests several times during the year to monitor its dried sea moss supply. This helps the business:
- Check new supplies
- Identify unexpected changes
- Review sourcing decisions
- Maintain clear records
- Give customers current information
Published results should always identify whether the laboratory tested dried sea moss or finished gel. This prevents customers from treating the concentrated dry ingredient result as though it were a direct measurement of the product in the jar.
What Should You Look for When Buying Sea Moss?
Ask the seller whether the sea moss has undergone independent testing. A useful laboratory report should identify the sample, date, tested elements, results and units.
Check whether arsenic is reported as total arsenic or inorganic arsenic. These measurements answer different questions and should not be compared as though they are the same.
You should also check how often the company tests its supply. Sea moss from a later harvest or source may differ from an earlier sample.
View Mighton’s Results
Mighton’s publishes its results so customers can see the measured figures and understand what they mean.
View the Mighton’s laboratory report
Shop Mighton’s Organic sea moss
The current results relate to the dried raw sea moss supply tested through MS Labs. Mighton’s carries out testing several times a year and updates its information when new results become available.
